HC Deb 03 May 1994 vol 242 cc411-2W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the names of consultants employed in reviews of structure and organisation for each of his Department's laboratories and agencies since April 1992, the periods of the appointments and the date of their reports; and whether the reports have been placed in the Library, together with the total sums expended on the reviews of such laboratories and agencies in the financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Heseltine

The position on the use of consultants in connection with the reviews of the DTI laboratories and other agencies is as follows:

DTI LABORATORIES A study by KPMG of the National Physical Laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory and the Warren Spring Laboratory1 was commissioned in May 1993. KPMG's report was presented to the Department in December 1993. A summary of the Report was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 14 April 1994. 1Warren Spring Laboratory was subsequently removed from the KPMG study. PA Consulting were then appointed to conduct a short review of the planned relocation of WSL from Stevenage to new premises at Welwyn Garden City. PA's report was presented to the Department in June 1993. A copy of the Report was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 7 July 1993.

OTHER AGENCIES

Accounts Services Agency A study by PA Consulting was commissioned in October 1993. The study was completed by January 1994 and an announcement in the form of Written Answer was made to the House on 11 February 1994, Official Report, column 505. PA's report has not been placed in the House as it contains commercially sensitive information, the publication of which could be damaging to the Agency.

Companies House A study by SRU was commissioned in October 1992. The study was completed in August 1993. SRU's report has not been placed in the House as the future of Companies House remains under consideration.

Insolvency Service Stoy Hayward were appointed in August 1993 to conduct a pre-feasibility study into the potential for making more use of the private sector in the work of the Official Receiver. Stoy Hayward's report was presented to the Department in October 1993. A summary of the Report was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 7 February 1994. Following the pre-feasibility study, a further more detailed feasibility study was commissioned from Stoy Hayward in March 1994. Stoy Hayward are due to complete this "second phase" study by the end of July 1994.

Patent Office A study by Price Waterhouse was commissioned in July 1993. Price Waterhouse have completed the bulk of their work and a final report is due in the near future.

Radiocommunications Agency As announced in a Written Answer on 22 March 1994, Official Report, column 216 the possibility of a greater role for the private sector in planning the radio spectrum and assigning frequencies, and the redefinition of the future role of the Radiocommunications Agency are matters on which comments are sought in the recently pulished consultative document, The Future Management of the Radio Spectrum", Accordingly, consultants have not so far been employed to review the structure or organisation of the Agency. The consultative document has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Costs The sums expended on work by consultants in connection with the reviews of the laboratories and agencies in the last two complete financial years total £101,041 (including VAT) for 1992/93 and £935,359 (including VAT) for 1993/94.

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