§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advisers have been appointed by his Department during the last 12 months in connection with the Government's privatisation programme; and what advisers or consultants have been appointed in connection with any other matters.
§ Mr. RentonOne appointment has been made in connection with the privatisation programme. This was made by the Overseas Development Administration, who appointed a consultant to consider the possible privatisation of the tropical soils analysis unit.
Other appointments made during the last 12 months were limited period appointments of experts on disarmament, dependent territory matters and Hong Kong. Three consultants were appointed for information technology projects, and one on freighting. A further 55 consultants and advisers, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and designers, were engaged in a wide variety of projects in the overseas diplomatic estate.
In addition, 425 advisers to overseas Governments were appointed under the United Kingdom aid programme.