HC Deb 13 March 1989 vol 149 cc102-3W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the total fees paid out by the Department of Trade and Industry to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

Mr. Forth

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the fees paid by the Department of Trade and Industry for general consultancies from 1984–85 to the current financial year are given in the table. In addition to management consultancies the figures also include procurement of other specialised services by the Department to improve its efficiency. The apparent decrease from 1986–87 indicates a shift of consultancy expenditure from general to programme-related consultancies for which separate consolidated records are not kept.

£'000
1984–85 6,104
1985–86 6,417
1986–87 4,650
1987–88 3,050
1988–89 12,500
1Forecast outturn.
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the total fees paid out by the Duchy of Lancaster to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

Mr. Newton

Fees paid out by the Duchy of Lancaster to management consultants in 1979–80 and subsequent years were as follows:

£
1979–80 34,097
1985–86 10,524
1986–87 28,629
1987–88 4,185

The forecast payment for 1988–89 is £4,000

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Department of Trade and Industry on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

Mr. Forth

Estimated expenditure on press and public relations in 1988–89 is £1,426,000. The detailed budget for 1989–90 has not yet been agreed but is expected to be broadly the same in real terms.