§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his Department's policy towards the publication of external consultants' reports in relation to market testing.
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 29 June 1994]: With regard to external consultants' reports on market testing, as in other matters, my Department follows the principles set out in the code of practice on access to Government information.
Information which could prejudice negotiations or the effective conduct of commercial and contractual activities would not be published.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will set out the total cost of external consultancy fees incurred by his Department in relation to market testing.
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 29 June 1994]: Since it was established in April 1992, my Department and its two agencies have to date spent approximately £66,000 on consultancy relating to market testing. Most of this sum was in connection with a scoping study on the strategic contracting out of central services.