HC Deb 22 January 1997 vol 288 cc673-4W
Mr. Milburn

To ask the Lord President of the Council what estimate he has made of the amount spent on external consultants by his Department's non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years. [10188]

Mr. Newton

I am not responsible for any non-departmental public bodies.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the actions his Department has taken on each of the recommendations contained in the Cabinet Office report, "The Government's Use of External Consultants". [10189]

Mr. Newton

The Privy Council Office makes only limited use of external consultants, but guidelines are in place on the procedures for placing such contracts. These require that proposals for any use of consultants should be submitted for my personal approval.