Consultants (Hansard, 9 January 1996)

§ Mr. Lang

The information for 1994 and 1995 in respect of contacts let centrally to consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed on external consultancy is detailed in the tables below. For information on contracts let centrally to organisations employed on external consultancy in 1992 and 1993, I refer to an answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) on 25 January 1994,Official Report, columns 211–17. Other information can be provided only at disproportionate costs. Lists of Contractors and Total Value of the Contracts for 1994 and 1995 Consultants, organisations and individuals awarded external consultancy contracts in 1994

Adept People
Allcock Consulting
Andersen Consulting
Associated Information and Technology
Benchmark Research Ltd.
BRC Partnership Ltd.
Broadgate Business Consultants
Business Round Table Ltd.
Butler Research
BZW Corporate Finance
Cambridge Consultants Ltd.
Capita Group Plc.
Chantry Vellacott Ltd.
Child Accident Prevention Trust
Connell Wilson
Consensus Research International
Coopers and Lybrand
Cranfield Institute of Technology
CRU International
CSS International Ltd.
David Rigby Associates
David Snell
Dewe Rogerson
Dr. Paul Seabright
Ernst and Young
ESYS Ltd.
Eurostrategy Consultants Ltd.
Euro-Bid Watch
Euro-Projects Ltd.
FBI Management Consultants
First Marine International
Follow Through Project Services Ltd.
Gamma Secure Systems
G. M. Glover
Grant Thornton
HP ICM
ICE Ergonomics
International Ecotechnology Research Centre
IQA/BCS
IT World
John Walsh
JRA Aerospace Ltd.
Kermon Ltd.
KPMG Management Consulting
Landair International Ltd.
Logica UK Ltd.
March Consulting Group
Marketing Improvements Group Plc
Maunsell Group
Metra Martech Ltd.
Morgan Harris Burroughs
Morgan Stanley Ltd.
MORI
G. Shaffer
C. Langman
R. Mortiboys.
National Economic Research Associates
National Institute of Economic and Social Research
National Radiological Protection Board
National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd.
Nimtech Ltd.
Optimat Ltd.
Ovum Ltd.
PA Cambridge Economic Consultants
PA Consulting Services Ltd.
PERA International
PERATEC
Performance Consulting Group
Pin-Point Research and Business Consultancy
PMG Films Ltd.
Prime Strategy Consultants Ltd.
Professor R. M. Ridley.
Quadrilect Ltd.
Quarto Consulting International
Quo-Tec Ltd.
R. Haselden
R. S. Direct.
Recharge North East
Reynolds and Associates Ltd.
Ricardo Aerospace Ltd.
Richfords
Salford University Business Services
Sambrook Research International
Satherley Design Associates
Segal Quince Wicksteed Ltd.
Services Ltd.
Solon Consultants
SRU Ltd.
Stoy Hayward Consulting
TFPL
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
The Fire Protection Association
The Marketing Partnership
The Motor Industry Research Association
Theisen Ltd.
Touche Ross and Co
Unitech Ltd.
University of Birmingham
University of Middlesex
University of Nottingham
University of Portsmouth
University of Sussex
WS Atkins
Total value of these contracts is £8,901,000

Consultants, organisations and individuals awarded external consultancy contracts in 1995

Allways International
ASRU Ltd.
Building Research Establishment
C and J Consultants
CIM Institute
Clemdale Associates
C. B. Snowdon
Coopers and Lybrand
Cray Systems
D. Tydeman
David Haynes Associates
David Rigby Associates
D. Hyde
Dr. L. B. Davies
Dr. P. Seabright
Durham Business School
Electronic Publishing Services Ltd.
ERM Economics
Ernst and Young
Europartners Consultants
Gamma Secure Systems
HSA Consultants
Inforpress Associates Ltd.
Ms J. Shawe
Ms K. Morris
KMPG Management Consulting
Logica UK Ltd.
Mach Two Ltd.
Mercers Management Consulting Ltd.
Metra Martech Ltd.
Michael Hannon Marketing
Morgan Harris Burroughs
C. Howard-Luck
National Institute of Economic and Social Research
Optimat Ltd.
PA Cambridge Economic Consultants
PA Consulting Services Ltd.
Pannell Kerr Forster
P. Champion
PMG Ltd.
Quo-Tec Ltd.
Rapra Technology Ltd.
Sambrook Research International
Schroders Investment Banking
Segal Quince Wicksteed Ltd.
Smith System Engineering Ltd.
Southampton University
Stoy Hayward Consulting
Systec Consulting
The Harris Research Centre
Theisen Securities Ltd.
Touche Ross and Co.
University of Louis Pasteur
University of Lund
University of Melbourne
University of Nottingham
Utrecht University
Warwick Manufacturing Group
York University
Total value of these contracts is £5,385,000.

The information given excludes external consultancy contracts let independently by the Department's executive agencies. I have asked agency chief executives to reply separately.

Information concerning individuals employed by this Department can be found in "Civil Service Staff in Post" summary tables. Copies of these tables have been placed in the Libraries of the Houses. Staff are employed to assist the Department to attain its aims and objectives as set out in the departmental report. Details of total costs are included in the report.

15W

Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 20 December 1995: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to provide you with information relating to the Patent Office as part of the reply to your question about the use of consultants, outside bodies and others since 1990. The Patent Office made no use of external consultants in 1992–94. In 1995 two consultancies, Marketing Improvements and Coopers and Lybrand, have been engaged to help on possible contractorisation projects. The total cost to date is £108,945 plus expenses. The information for the years 1990 and 1991 can only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Patent Office contracts out a wide range of support and ancillary services such as printing, cleaning, security, training, technical and maintenance services. Expenditure amounted to £2.5 million in 1990, £2.9 million in 1991, £3.6 million in 1992, £3.3 million in 1993, £2.6 million in 1994 and £2.4 million to date in 1995. It has also used a number of external IT experts for specialist work and Employment Agency staff for general support services as particular needs arose.

Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 9 January 1996: Consultants and outside organisations engaged and individuals employed by the radiocommunications agency: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply direct to your parliamentary question about external consultancy contracts let, and individuals employed, by the Radiocommunications Agency. The Agency did not assume responsibility for letting its own contracts until 1994. The value, and details, of the external consultancy contracts let since then are as follows:

1994 (£320,000 ex VAT)
NERA: Economic Impact Study
MORI: Programme of Customer Surveys
Coopers & Lybrand: Review of Customer Service Branch
1995 (£292,800 ex VAT)
Y & S: Management of the Radio Spectrum and IS Strategic Partnership
C Gamblin: Planning and Monitoring Objectives
PA Consultancy: Customer Services Branch Efficiency Savings
Alkemi Ltd: Security, Threat Assessment Contingency Planning
NERA: Use of Spectrum Pricing
Etc Ltd: Strategy for Investors in People
Details in respect of calendar years 1990–1993 are covered in the President's reply to your question.

Information about employees of this Agency can be found in the Civil Service Staff in Post Summary Tables, and in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are in the House Libraries. Staff are employed to assist the Agency to attain its aims and objectives as set out in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts.

Letter from David Durham to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 20 December 1995: The President of the Board of Trade, the Right Hon. Ian Lang MP has asked me to reply to your question about consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed by Companies House Executive Agency, since 1990.

The information you sought is as follows: Consultants and Outside Organisations Please see the tables attached providing a list of Consultants (Annex A) and Outside Organisations (Annex B), who have supplied goods or services to Companies House during financial years 1994/95 and 1995/96 to date. Information for earlier years can only be provided at disproportionate cost. The attached tables state the purpose of employment and indicate with an asterisk (^*) in which year(s) payments have been made by Companies House to individual consultants and other outside 16W suppliers for expenditure £10,000 per annum. Amounts less than £10,000 per annum have been treated as not material to your question, and details could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Individual payments to suppliers are treated as commercial in confidence but I have provided the aggregated costs for each year. Individual employees Information on employees appear in the copies of the Civil Service Staff Post Summary Tables for the relevant years in the House Libraries. The purpose of individuals employed is assisting the agency to attain its Objectives and Aims as set out in Companies House Annual Reports. The total staff costs are as follows:

Year	£000's
1990/91	13,519
1991/92	15,570
1992/93	15,936
1993/94	15,437
1994/95	15,326
1995/6 (to date)	9,653

I trust you find this information helpful.

Annex A
£Spend
Outside suppliers	Consultancy provided	1994–95	1995–96
Axsis Consultants	Consultants Re. Electronic Mail	—	*
CS Trident	Computer Consultants	—	*
Data Sciences UK Ltd.	Consultants—Image Based System	—	*
David Fowler Partners	Consultants Re. Car Park Repairs	*	*
Workplace Technologies Ltd.	Consultants—Image Based System	—	*
IBM	Computer Consultants	—	*
I.T. Southern	Computer Consultants	*	—
National Utility Services	Utility Consultants	*	—
		259,000	107,000

Annex B
£spend
Outside suppliers	Goods/Services provided	1994–95	1995–96
Agfa-Gevaert Ltd.	Reprographic Goods	*	*
Anacomp Ltd.	Micrographic Supplies	*	*
Aquaplan	Roof Repairs	*	*
Arron Electrical	Building Stores, Stock	—	*
Banctec Ltd.	Remittance Processor	*	—
Barron McCann Ltd.	Computer Maintenance and Development	*	*
Barry Roofing Ltd.	Builders	*	—
Bell & Howell Ltd.	Filming Machinery/Maintenance	*	*
BPC Numeric Arts	Bar Code System Maintenance	*	*
Bridgend Office Furniture	Office Furniture	—	*
B.T. Yellow Pages	Directory Advertising	*	—
Britdoc Ltd.	D X System	—	*
B.T. Business Communications	Telecommunications	*	*
B.T. Midlands	Telecommunications	*	*
B.T. Westminster Services	Telecommunications	—	*
B.T. Glasgow	Telecommunications	*	—
British Gas	Fuel	*	—
Canon (UK) Ltd.	Photocopiers	*	—
Canon (S W)	Cameras & Office Machinery	*	*
Cardiff City Council	Refuse Collection etc.	*	—
Cardiff Lift Co.	Updating Lifts For Disabled	—	*
Caterwise	Canteen	*	*
City Electrical Factors	Electrical Stock	*	*
Clarinet Systems Ltd.	C. D. Rom Computer	—	*
Computacenter Ltd.	Various Computer Equipment	*	*
CV Carpets Ltd.	Carpets	*	—
Darley Business Forms	Special Stationery	*	*
MR-Datacom Ltd.	Micrographic Directories	*	*
Datavault Ltd.	Storage of Documents	*	*

17W

Annex B
£spend
Outside suppliers	Goods/Services provided	1994–95	1995–96
David Wall	Accountancy Services	*	—
D. Brown & Son	Stationery Supplies	*	—
Ellis Tylin Ltd.	Building Maintenance Contract	*	*
Elonex Computers	Computer Supplies	*	—
Esso	Fuel	*	—
Finres	Carousels	*	*
F. J. Elvin	Building Alterations/Maintenance etc.	*	*
Forward Catering	Canteen	*	—
Gandlake Computer	Mainframe Software	*	*
Services	Licences
Gent Ltd.	Fire Alarm System	*	—
Gill's Travel	Foreign Travel Arrangements	*	*
Golley Slater & Partners	Design & Artwork etc.	*	*
Graphics Technology	Film for Technical Development	*	*
Gresham Computer Services.	Computer Supplies	*	—
Group 4	Cash In Transit/Security	*	—
Guardian Computer Services	Disaster Standby Services	*	*
HCS Global Ltd.	Computer Cabling/Tapes etc.	*	*
Hopewiser Ltd.	Mainframe Software Licences	*	—
IBM United Kingdom	Scanning Systems	*	*
ICL	Computer Maintenance/Equipment	*	*
International Computers	Computer Maintenance/Equipment	—	*
Interlink	Marketing Services	*	*
Intercraft Design	Furniture	*	—
Isogon Communications System	Various Computer Systems	*	*
JCW Wales Ltd.	Air Conditioning System	*	*
JVH Associates Ltd.	Vending Machine Maintenance	*	—
Kardex Systems (UK)	Public Search Swipe Cards	*	—
Kodak Ltd.	Micrographic Consumables	*	—
Lancare	Various Computer Equipment	*	—
Lamson Plc	Conveyor Belt Systems	*	—
The Lewis Group Plc	Debt collectors	*	*
London Electricity	Electricity	*	*
Makers Industrial Services	Car Park Repairs	*	*
Martin Hopkins Design	Marketing Design/Artwork	*	*
Martin Walton Design	Marketing Design/Artwork	*	—
McKenzie Hughes Computers	Computer Systems	*	—
Mediascene Ltd.	Mailing Services	*	—
Memchem Ltd.	Washroom Consumables	*	*
Mercury Communications	Telecommunications	*	*
Mercury Government Services	Telecommunications (Edinburgh)	—	*
Mertec Image Data Ltd.	Microprocessors	*	—
MR-Datagen	Maintenance Micrographic Equipment	*	*
The Microfilm Shop	Micrographic Equipment	*	*
Midland Printing Services	Statutory Forms	—	*
Mitie Cleaning	Cleaning Contract	*	*
Morgan Bruce	Legal Work	*	—
National Westminster Bank Plc	Bank Charges	*	*
National West Streamline	Bank Charges	*	*
Neopost Ltd.	Postage Costs	—	*
OTIS plc	Lift Maintenance	*	—
Park Business Forms	Stationery	*	*
Pauls Industrial Services	Asbestos Removal	*	*
Photomatrix Ltd.	Reprographic Equipment	*	*
Pinnacle Office Equipment	Office Supplies	*	—
P. Macey	Building Maintenance	*	—
Publicity Centre	Marketing	*	*
R. A. Brand and Co.	Paper	*	*
Rank Xerox	Photocopier Maintenance and copy Charges.	*	*
Rentokil Ltd.	Pest Control	*	—
Research and Marketing	Marketing Research	*	*
Robert C. Green	Building Maintenance	*	—
Richard Powell	Storage Systems	—	*
Royal Mail	Postage	*	*

18W

Annex B
£spend
Outside suppliers	Goods/Services provided	1994–95	1995–96
Sam (UK) Ltd.	Computer Printers	*	*
SBS Business Supplies	Stationery Supplies	*	*
Scottish Power	Fuel	*	—
Sealey Painting and Decorating	Painters and Decorators	*	—
Securiplan plc	London Security	*	*
Sensormatic Camera Ltd.	Security	*	—
Securicor Ltd.	Transit Of Cash/Cheques	*	*
Shorrock Guards	Cardiff Security	*	*
Siemens Nixdorf	High Speed Printers and Maintenance	*	*
Software Corporation	Computer Software	*	*
Swalec	Electricity	*	*
Speedy Office Supplies	Stationery	*	*
Starline Blinds	Window Blinds	*	—
Strand Cleaning Services	London Office Cleaning	*	*
Sutcliffe UK	Caterers	*	—
Taylor Tiles Ltd.	Fixtures and Fittings	*	—
Taymech Ltd.	CH Edin Refurbishment	—	*
Technological Solution	Computer Equipment	*	—
Technology plc	Computer Systems	*	*
Capita Managed Services	Mainframe Support Contract	*	*
Texaco	Fuel	*	—
Thompson Systems plc	Accounting Systems Maintenance	*	*
TNT Express (UK)	Courier Services	*	*
Treforest Printing	Stationery	—	*
Ultra Comp Ltd.	Software Licences	*	—
Vitec	Computer Equipment	—	*
Carlson Wagonlit	Travel Expenses	*	*
WAT Flooring Contracts	Fixtures and Fittings	*	—
Wallace Brown	Edinburgh Office Furniture	—	*
Welsh Water	Water Rates	*	*
Wilprint Group	Printing Of "The Register"	*	*
Zenith Treforest Press	Printing Stationery	*	*
Zenith Print and Packaging	Printing Stationery	—	*
		14,134,000	6,859,000

Letter from Peter Clapham to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 12 December 1995: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about consultants, outside organisations, and individuals employed by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the National Engineering Laboratory (NEL). As you will be aware, NPL and NEL are no longer executive agencies of the DTI as both are now being operated by private sector management. However as the last Chief Executive of both laboratories I am pleased to respond to your question. Each laboratory uses the services of many consultants, both for scientific purposes connected with the work programmes carried out for customers, and for management purposes. In the case of NPL, expenditure on consultants amounted to £551k in the six months to 30 September 1995, and £1,309k in the financial year 1994–95. For NEL the expenditure amounted to £84k in the seven months to 30 October 1995. A list of the main consultants is enclosed. I am afraid that data for earlier years is not easily available as a result of the recent changes of management of the laboratories. Outside organisations are used for the supply of a wide range of services to both laboratories: these services include support services such as catering, cleaning, security guards, maintenance of buildings and equipment, office services, accountancy payroll. In addition, some scientific work is sub-contracted to outside suppliers. It is not practicable to provide a comprehensive list of the firms involved. As to the individuals employed by the laboratories, this information is given in the Civil Service staffing statistics which are available in the Library of the House of Commons, in the DTI's Departmental Report, and in the Annual Report and Accounts issued by each laboratory. 19W NPL EXECUTIVE AGENCY Main Consultants used in 1994–95

Chessington Computer Centre
Commonwish Ltd
Futurism Computing Ltd
Hagendale Ltd
Mr. K Worthy
Mr. T Cornwell
PA Consulting Group
Amethyst Systems
Assessment Services Ltd
Brameur
Beta Technology Ltd
Chart Associates
Cranfield Institute of technology
DK Research
Dr. A. Franks
Dr. D. W. Budworth
Dr. G. Shalfirstein
European Systems
Geoff Pearmine
JB Industrial Marketing
John Moore Associates Ltd
Queen Mary & Westfield College
Mr. A. Pearce
Mr. F. A. Kandil
Mr. J. D. Summerfield
Richard Andon
Sixpenny Handley Software Services

Main Consultants used in 1995–96 Commonwish Ltd

Futurism Computing Ltd
Mr. T. Cornwell
PA Consulting Group
Core Public Relations
Deltapoint Interim Management
Brameur
Beta Technology Ltd
Chart Associates
Dr. A. Franks
Dr. G. Shalfirstein
Mr. J. E. Dilly
Mr. K. Worthy
Mr. R. Evans
Mr. J. D. Summerfield
University of Sheffield
Assessment Services Ltd
NEL EXECUTIVE AGENCY
Main Consultants used in 1995–96
Ernst & Young
Heriot-Watt University
Optimat Ltd

Letter from R. D. Worswick to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 12 December 1995: EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question about the employment of consultants by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, an Executive Agency of the DTI. 20W From time to time we have used consultants to help review or improve internal management functions (including the provision of information technology). The significant contracts in this area have been with the following firms (the value shown is the VAT inclusive payment to those firms in the given financial year). 1990–91 £49,000

EOYS Ltd: Financial Management
BDM Ltd: Records Management
Centre for Consultancy: Customer Care Training

1991–92 £25,000

Elgar Associates: Quality Assurance Training
KPMG: Financial Information Systems Assessment

1992–93 £103,000

Elgar Associates: Quality Assurance Training
Price Waterhouse: Financial Information System Assessment
Jones Lang Wooton: Building Services Review

1993–94 £11,000

Price Waterhouse: Financial Information System Implementation

1994–95 £277,000

Coopers and Lybrand: Organisation and Structure of Service Provision
Jones Lang Wooton: Building Services Review
Hay Management Consultants: Personnel Services Review and Advice

1995–96 (first six months) £25,000

Hay Management Consultants: Personnel Services Review and Advice
I am afraid that any more comprehensive information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 20 December 1995: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about consultants, outside organisations and individuals employed by The Insolvency Service. The following external consultants were engaged by The Insolvency Service in the calendar years 1994 and 1995 (to date).

Organisation	Purpose	Cost including VAT £
1994
Price Waterhouse	User Survey	33,518
BDO Stoy Hayward	Feasibility Study (Options: Contracting-out)	72,263
BDO Stoy Hayward	Management Consultancy (Office Systems)	21,891
		total 127,672
1995
Price Waterhouse	User Survey	91,262
Shreeveport	Contracting-out Project	488,300
Bevan Ashford	Legal Advice (Contracting-out)	26,465
		total 606,027

The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency within the Department of Trade and IndustryPrior to 1994 contracts for consultants were let by the Department of Trade and Industry, and information in relation to 1992 and 1993 was provided in a PQ No. 146 for Ms Dianne Abbott MP Dated 25 January 1994, Columns 211–217. Information on consultancy for 1990 and 1991 can only now be provided at disproportionate cost.The service has also used outside private sector organisations for advice on, development of and delivery in relation to specialist areas such as training, design and information technology systems; 21W accountancy work on individual disqualification cases; and accountancy support for the work of the Agency. Details of the organisations concerned and the payments made to them could only be provided at disproportionate cost.Finally, information in relation to individuals employed by The Insolvency Service in pursuit of its objectives under its Agency Framework Document are provided in its Annual Reports of which copies can be found in the House libraries.