§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will outline the brief given to the consultants looking at the question of the economic advantages of oxygen concentrators; what is the proposed fee for this survey; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAn outline of the brief given to Arthur Andersen and Co. is contained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton West (Mr. Sackville) on 10 February at column830. The consultants' advice to Ministers will not be in the form of a report suitable for publication.
Following a process of competitive tendering the fee agreed for the study was £6,100 plus VAT and expenses.