§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction(a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) staff costs, (ii) information technology and (iii) other costs. [10965]
§ Sir John WheelerA range of projects across all Northern Ireland departments and the Northern Ireland Office are under consideration, but none are yet at the invitation to tender stage. The administration costs incurred to date in the tendering process are part of the normal work of departments and are not separately identified.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on external consultants in the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction(a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) legal fees, (ii) publicity costs, (iii) accountancy fees and (iv) management consultancy fees. [10963]
§ Sir John WheelerA range of projects across all Northern Ireland departments and the Northern Ireland Office are under consideration, but none are yet at the invitation to tender stage. However, the following external consultancy costs have been incurred in 1995–96 in moving towards this position:
£ thousand Legal 58 Publicity 2 Accountancy 1 Management consultancy 97