§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many studies or reports have been commissioned from commercial consultants since June 1987; what has been the cost; what proportion of the studies or reports has been put out to tender; what is the value of those tendered; what proportion of the studies or reports has been commissioned from Arthur Andersen; and what is the value of those commissioned from Arthur Andersen.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 29 January 1990]The number of studies or reports commissioned122W from commercial consultants by the Department since June 1987 is 90, at a total cost of £3,529,844. The proportion of the studies put out to tender was 33 per cent. and their value was £1,066,482. The proportion of the studies or reports commissioned from Arthur Andersen was 8.9 per cent., and their value was £976,316.