§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those(a) consultants, (b) outside organisations and (c) individuals employed by his Department in each year since 1990, indicating the 242W purposes of their employment and the total payments made to them. [3960]
§ Mr. SoamesBudget-holders throughout the Ministry of Defence have delegated authority to engage external advisors, on a paid consultancy basis or otherwise, to conduct independent reviews of aspects of the Department's work. Information on such studies is not collected centrally, and the details requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information relating to individuals employed by the Department are contained in the civil service staff post summary tables, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Individuals employed by the Department are engaged in assisting the Department to attain its aims and objectives as set out in the departmental report.