§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has received the report of the efficiency unit scrutiny of Government research establishments; and if he will ensure its publication before the end of July.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe report on the efficiency scrutiny of civil public sector research establishments was published yesterday, 11 July. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the full report of the efficiency unit's scrutiny of the use of consultants in Government Departments will be published; and whether the unit intends to draw up good practice guidance for Departments along the lines of that issued recently by the Audit Commission to local authorities.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe report of the efficiency unit's scrutiny on the Government's use of external consultants will be published shortly. It is a key task of the efficiency unit to disseminate "best practice" to Departments and agencies, and the scrutiny is likely to make recommendations which will assist in sharing and promoting good practice in the purchasing and managing of external consultancy.