§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the contracts for public opinion research his Department has awarded since 10 February indicating(a) the name of the firms, (b) the purposes, (c) the cost and value, (d) the duration and (e) the names of other firms which bid for each contract. [36714]
§ Mr. Geoffrey Robinson[holding answer 27 March 1998]: Since 10 February contracts have been awarded to Fishburn Hedges to advise on presentational aspects of the individual savings account, and to Ogilvy & Mather for similar work on the Working Families Tax Credit. The cost of both projects was approximately £40,000 each. The contracts were let on 26 February following a competitive tender and all work was completed by March 16. The names of companies who bid unsuccessfully for the contracts are covered by commercial confidentiality.