§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost to date and the expected future cost of his Department's market-testing programme; how many staff are engaged full time in work relating to market testing; which firms of consultants have been used in connection with the market-testing programme; and how they were selected.
§ Mr. MatesUnder present arrangements, information on the cost of the market testing programme cannot be accurately determined across the seven Departments covered by the Northern Ireland programme, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
There are four members of staff engaged full time in work relating to market testing; otherwise, staff in Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office contribute to the market-testing process as part of wider responsibilities.
The following firms of consultants, which were selected using competitive tendering principles, have been used in connection with the Northern Ireland market-testing programme:
- BET FM Ltd.
- CAPITA
- Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte
- Helm Corporation
- Leopold Joseph and Sons
- Logicom
- Michael Willacy Associates
- MVM Consultants plc
- SERCO
- Symonds Facilities Management plc
- Touche Ross
- Witt Thornton (Management Services)