§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent by his Department on the privatisation of the royal dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth.
§ Mr. FreemanDuring the period between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy 621W towards the future management of the dockyards—Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–41—and 31 October 1994, total identifiable expenditure for work associated with developing and implementing plans for the proposed privatisation of the royal dockyards amounts to some £7.2 million. Given that the current dockyard management contracts are due to expire no later than April 1996, my Department would expect to have incurred in any case costs for work related to any future management arrangements for the royal dockyards.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount paid to consultants by his Department for work concerned with the privatisation of HM royal Devonport dockyard.
§ Mr. FreemanPayments made or outstanding to consultants for work related to the proposed privatisation of the royal dockyards between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend announced our policy towards the future management of the dockyards,—Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–41—and 31 October 1994 total some £6.5 million. Costs attributable to Devonport cannot be separately identified.