§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) 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; [10949]
(2) 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. [10950]
§ Mr. Boswell[holding answer 22 January 1996]: The Department has not incurred significantly increased consultancy and running costs in the tendering process of the private finance initiative, compared with those which would have been incurred in a more traditional approach.