§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost in each of the years since 1979 until the latest date for which figures are available, including the estimated figure for 1982–83, of consultants' fees for architectural or management services by regional health authorities, area health authorities and district health authorities in England and Wales; and what proportion of the totals was awarded after competitive tenders.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe total cost of professional fees for building and engineering schemes incurred by regional health authorities, area health authorities and district health authorities in England for the period 1979 to 1983 is as follows:
£ 1979–80 40,395,835 1980–81 57,402,384 1981–82 63,210,114 1982–83* 69,491,000 * Estimated. Fees for architectural, engineering and quantity surveying services on health building projects are at present based on scales negotiated by our Department with the appropriate professional bodies, and competition between firms on the level of fees payable has not formed part of these arrangements. In conjunction with PSA, we are at present considering the question of introducing competitive tendering for these services.