§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang[holding answer 7 June 1993]: With regard to the cost of the market-testing programme and staff committed to implementing the programme, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. McAllion) on 17 February 1993, at column 169. In the first four months of 1993 the expenditure on market testing, including staff costs and fees for consultancy work, is estimated at £370,000. It is not possible to give an accurate forecast of future costs; this will depend on the outcome of detailed scoping work, yet to be completed, and upon the level of internal and consultancy effort needed to complete the programme. The consultants Coopers and Lybrand, Deloitte advised my Department on the initial scoping exercise to identify possible activities for the 1992–93 market-testing pro-gramme and Capita Management Consultancy are assisting in its implementation in the Scottish Office. Both firms of consultants were selected following competitive tendering.