HC Deb 26 May 1994 vol 244 cc283-4W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 20 May,Official Report, column 600, if he will provide separate dates and participants for each future meeting to be held, for all dates which have been booked, between Shandwick Consultants and (a) the franchising director, (b) officials from Opraf and (c) officials from his Department.

Mr. Freeman

Both the Franchising Director and officials from Opraf, and the Department will meet from time to time with Shandwick to discuss and review their work programme.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answers of 20 May,Official Report, column 600, and his answer to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), what is his estimate of the total amount, inclusive of value-added tax, which his Department will have paid to Dewe Rogerson for advice on his Departments marketing strategy for rail privatisation by the time Dewe Rogersons contract has been completed; what element of this total arises from his Departments decision to terminate the contract between his Department and Dewe Rogerson; on what date Dewe Rogerson was informed of his Departments decision to terminate the contract; and what length of notice was stipulated for either party under the contract.

Mr. Freeman

The answers are:

  1. (a) It is not possible to provide a figure for the total amount until Dewe Rogersons work is finally completed and their final invoice submitted for payment.
  2. (b) None.
  3. (c) 12 May 1994.
  4. (d) The contract provided for termination by the Department giving three months notice in writing.