HC Deb 29 June 1994 vol 245 cc626-7W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the policy adopted by his Department towards the publication of external consultants' reports in relation to market testing.

Mr. Aitken

In accordance with the Government's policy of extending access to official information so as to improve public understanding of the way that Government works, the Ministry of Defence would normally expect to be able to publish consultants' reports in relation to its market testing and other "Competing for Quality" programmes except where there is a clear need to observe commercial confidences, the disclosure of which would damage the competitive position of companies or in-house bid teams.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the total cost of external consultancy fees incurred by his Department in relation to market testing.

Mr. Aitken

My Department has provided information on the cost of external consultancy support used in the "Competing for Quality" programme over the period 1 April 1992 to 31 December 1993 to the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee as part of its inquiry into the civil service. The Ministry's expenditure on external consultancy support in relation to the "Competing for Quality" programme for the period was £36,000. Expenditure figures for consultancy support contracts let for the current programme period, which ends on 31 September 1994, are not yet available.

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