§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will state the value of consultancy contracts awarded by her Department each year since 1988, both in current prices and at constant 1994 prices.
§ Mr. SackvilleExpenditure on fees and expenses for contracts awarded by the Department of Health paid under the general management consultancy budget for the financial years 1989–90 to 1992–93 was:
36W
§ Mr. SackvilleDetailed information is not held centrally. The information in the annual accounts of Barnsley family health services authority is shown in the table.
Financial year Expenditure at current prices (£ million) Expenditure at constant 1993–94 prices (£ million) 1989–90 48.870 5.999 1990–91 2.870 3.272 1991–92 2.806 3.008 1992–93 3.526 3.641 Prior to 1989–90 management consultants were funded from a joint health-social security budget and it is not possible to identify expenditure solely on health. Expenditure figures for the current 1993–94 year will not be available until after the end of the financial year. The 37W Department also employs specialist consultants, particularly on information technology projects, and other consultants on specific projects which are funded from other budgets.