§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 3 February,Official Report, column 815, what are the commercial reasons for his refusal to give particulars of the fees paid to the consultants carrying out the review of the Patent Office; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 21 February 1994]: I do not intend to disclose the fees paid to the consultants working on the Patent Office review because this might set a benchmark for other consultants bidding for similar work. This could affect future competitive tenders and so constrain my Department's ability to achieve best value for money for taxpayers.