§ Mr. Cohen: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total cost, including the cost of using consultants, of the review of possible privatisation in respect of the Post Office; and how much has been paid to each consultant.
§ Mr. EggarThe Government announced their intention to privatise Parcelforce on 15 July 1992,Official Report, column 1137, and announced the review of the structure and organisation of the Post Office on 29 July 1992. From those dates to the date of the Government's decision that they would not, for the present, be proceeding with legislation on the Post Office, a total of £1,613,002.28 was spent on consultancy advice. The cost of work undertaken by individual contractors is commercially confidential.