§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 14 January,Official Report, column 771, under what statutory powers the Operation Wizard consultancy exercise was authorised; if prior authorisation was agreed by his Department before each of the consultants was engaged; if the choice of consultants followed an open advertisement and competition relating to a published brief; if he will publish a full list of the consultancy companies and partnerships engaged; and on what date each of them started and completed their work.
§ Mr. David HuntThe agency has wide-ranging powers under the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 which includes powers to commission studies in relation to the discharge of its functions. Within the guidelines set out in the financial memorandum, day-to-day management, including the use of consultants, is a matter for the agency. In awarding contracts, the agency is required to have regard to best practice and value for money.