§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list for the financial year 1998–99(a) the number and (b) the total value of contracts let by her Department with external consultants and advisers that (i) were put out to competitive tender, (ii) were not put out to competitive tender and (iii) were let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109269]
§ Mr. StringerThe information requested is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. It is departmental policy to purchase all goods, services and works by means of competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary.