HC Deb 29 June 1994 vol 245 c566W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. Forth

The Department considers publication of external consultants' reports on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the code of practice on access to government information. Factors taken into account include the need to protect private and sensitive commercial information relating to third parties.

Mr. Fatchett

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

Mr. Forth

Expenditure by the Department on consultancy fees in relation to market testing since September 1992 amounts to £296,210.