§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the(a) maximum and (b) minimum cost per hour charged by N. M. Rothschild working on the contract to give advice on the privatisation of the coal industry; what is the total cost to date; what is the estimated final total cost; and if he will make a statement. [31489]
§ Mr. PageInformation relating to hourly rates paid to advisers on coal privatisation is commercially confidential. I can, however, confirm that, since 1991–92, the Department has paid N. M. Rothschild £8.956 million in professional fees. Further payments are expected to be small.