HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 cc298-9W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which firms are providing his Department with(a) expertise and (b) advice with respect to the flotation of QinetiQ. [16405]

Mr. Hoon

The Ministry of Defence is being advised on the QinetiQ transaction by PricewaterhouseCoopers and UBS Warburg (financial advice), Simmons & Simmons (legal), Arthur Andersen (reporting accountants) and Willis (insurance). QinetiQ also has its own advisers.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's budget is for professional advice on the flotation of QinetiQ. [16406]

Mr. Hoon

There is no fixed budget for external advice in relation to the flotation of QinetiQ. Continuous scrutiny of costs ensures that the services of advisers offer value for money.