§ Mr. Maddenasked the Prime Minister how many policy reviews have been announced by Government Departments since June 1983, how many such reviews have been completed to date; how many management consultants have been retained by Government Departments since June 1983; and at what total cost to date.
§ Mr. Biffen[pursuant to his reply, 18 December 1984, c. 82]: Policy review is in many cases a continuing process. But since June 1983 we have announced some 130 separate reviews and completed about 50. These include some efficiency scrutinies and studies which have a significant impact on policy. In the same period, Departments have let about 70 different contracts to management consultants at a cost to date of some £2½ million.