§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what has been the amount spent on consultants in relation to London Transport matters in each of the last eight years; and how much is currently(a) committed and (b) estimated to be spent; [89012]
(2) if he will make a statement on the principal reasons for the use of consultants in relation to London Transport matters (a) in each of the last three years and (b) currently. [89013]
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§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe information is not available in the form requested. The Government use external consultants when they require expert independent advice. Over the last eight years consultants have been employed to advise on, among other issues, the Jubilee Line Extension, Crossrail and the privatisation of London Transport's bus operating companies. Consultants that are currently employed by the Department to advise on London Transport are Ove Arup, acting as the Secretary of State's Agent on the Jubilee Line Extension project, and Gibb Ltd. to advise on integrating the national rail network with the Underground. In 1998–99 the Department spent £693,000 on consultancy work relating to London Transport and in 1999–2000 the amount spent by 1 July was £294,000.