§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which firms are currently hired by his Department to carry out management consultancy work.
§ Mr. FreemanA central list of companies providing management consultancy work to my Department does not exist and could be drawn up only at disproportionate cost.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to date of management consultants hired to analyse the privatisation of the royal dockyards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanPayments made or outstanding specifically for management consultancy advice given on the proposed privatisation of the royal dockyards between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy on tile future management of the dockyards—Official 460W Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–4 —and 31 October 1994 total some £2.2 million.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy towards the use of management consultants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanResponsibility and accountability for the employment of external management consultants have been largely delegated in my Department to budget holders at all levels. These budget holders take fully into account their obligations for the proper and economical use of their resources, including the use of competition, when considering in what circumstances and to what extent they should call on such services.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of management consultants hired by his Department in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. FreemanIndividual budget holders in my Department have delegated powers to employ external assistance as they think fit within the limit of their resources. No central figure for the costs of this assistance is available and one could be provided only at disproportionate cost.