§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the(a) number and (b) value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109302]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe information requested cannot be provided on the ground of disproportionate cost, as it is not held centrally.
My Department would normally engage external consultants and advisers to manage competitive tendering processes only where particular expertise or knowledge is required which is not available in-house.