§ Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions on which his Department has used from outside the Civil Service (a) accountants, (b) management consultants and (c) other consultants since June 1979, giving in each case the dates and nature of the assignment, together with the names of the individuals, partnerships or institutions involved.
§ Mr. PattieThe Ministry of Defence has used outside consultants on a number of occasions to assist in management and efficiency studies.
Accountants were used on the following occasions:
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Date Assignment Organisation 1979–80 Price review of a company on behalf of Contracts Branch, Fighting Vehicles 22 Canadian Audit Services
Date Assignment Organisation 1979-continuing Cost investigation of Government to Government contracts with Saudi Arabia Touche Ross & Company January-March 1981 Control of Expenditure Study Arthur Andersen May-December 1981 Study into financial accountability Arthur Andersen Although the Ministry of Defence has substantial in-house management services resources, management consultants were used for the following tasks where particular specialist skills were required:
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Date Assignment Organisation May 1978–March 1982 Materials handling at central ordnance depot, Donnington Modern Materials Management Limited November 1978–December 1979 Design and implementation of incentive scheme at Royal ordnance factory, Bridgwater PA Management Consultants Limited August-November 1980 Storage requirements in the Portsmouth area Atkins Planning May 1980–continuing Feasibility study for a self-financing productivity scheme at Clyde submarine base, followed by work to introduce the scheme PA Management Consultants Limited April 1980–March 1981 Development of a work measured incentive scheme for Royal Navy store depots, Copenacre and Llangennech PA Management Consultants Limited April 1980 An analysis of existing processes, definitions of options and constraints and to plan proposed modernisations Humphrey's and Glasgow Limited April 1980 Construction of a remote control research departmental explosive plant at Royal ordnance factory, Bishopton Daniel International Consultants Limited May 1980 To design and programme a computerised system for the issue and calibration of gauges at Royal small arms factory, Enfield Zeus Hermes Business Systems Limited July 1980 Health and safety analysis of the production lines at Royal ordnance factories, Chorley and Glascoed Cremer and Warner Limited July 1980 Refurbishment of boilerhouse at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Giltspur Engineering Limited September 1980 Drawing specification for a new road at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Sheperd and Gilmore Limited October 1980 Construction of an energy tank farm at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Giltspur Engineering Limited November 1980 Drawing specification for extension of the new road at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Sheperd and Gilmore Limited
Date Assignment Organisation 1981 Audit of engineering department incentive schemes at Royal ordnance factory, Bridgwater PA Management Consultants Limited July 1981 Possible changes in the constitution of the Royal ordnance factory (Kleinwert Benson Limited) (NM Rothschild and Sons Limited) October 1981 Survey of the boundary with a view to development at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Sheperd and Gilmore Limited March 1982 Maintenance control survey at Royal ordnance factory, Bishopton Maintenance Management Control Limited April 1982 Effluent treatment survey at Royal ordnance factory, Bishopton Crouch and Hogg April-August 1982 Feasibility drawings and specification for open planned offices at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Sheperd and Gilmore Limited April-August 1982 Study of the automation of the packing lines at Royal Navy victualling depot, Botley Glendinning Associates International May-September 1982 RMAS vessels—refit, upkeep and support arrangements Y-Ard Limited September 1982 Feasibility and chemical process building at Royal ordnance factory, Patricroft Sheperd and Gilmore Limited September-December 1982 Overseas marketing of military training courses Economist Intelligence Unit Other consultants: Extensive use is made of other consultants, full details of which are not held centrally and could not be assembled.
Computer consultants are used to provide expertise and specialist assistance over a wide range of automatic data processing activities, from project installation-management to the provision of specific software and the investigation of computer problems;
consultants are brought in to advise on management techniques to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of project management teams;
consultants provide advice in the scientific and research and development field, in design engineering and equipment procurement.