§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contracts his Department has had with consultants; and what has been the total cost in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 23 March 1994]: In each of the five years from 1989 to 1993 the number and value of contracts let by the Department to consultants for non-highways work was as follows:
Year Number Value (£000s) 1989 74 8,745 1990 126 15,225 1991 186 16,414 1992 254 13,621 1993 378 14,924 For highways work, new consultant contracts awarded in respect of schemes in the trunk road programme, operation of the trunk road network and associated investigations were as follows:
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Number 1989 72 1990 115 1991 113
Number 1992 46 1993 44 Since many of these commissions are continuing, it is impossible to provide final costs. However, on a financial year basis, total expenditure in the last four years on all such contracts—not just those identified—has been:
£ million 1990–91 159 1991–92 181 1992–93 208 1993–94 1173 1 To date. The figure for 1989–90 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.