§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 16 November 1989 at columns431–32 in respect of payments up to and including 1988–89. The estimated expenditure for 1989–90 is £4,870,500. No decision has yet been reached on the 1990–91 budget.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total fees paid out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.
§ Mr. FreemanFigures are available only from 1984–85 onwards. They are:
£ 1984–85 13,000 1985–86 71,000 1986–87 89,000 1987–88 359,000 1988–89 884,000 11989–90 830,000 21990–91 830,000 1Estimate. 2 Budget. The figures from 1987–88 onwards largely reflect the cost of employing consultants from a variety of firms to undertake strategic management and information technology studies and to assist with subsequent implementation, in areas where the necessary skills and expertise are not available within the office.