HC Deb 11 April 2002 vol 383 cc601-2W
Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many management consultants have been used by her Department since its creation; and how much they have cost. [34354]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 7 February 2002]: The information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost to her Department was of the use of external consultants in each of the last four years. [35024]

Mr. Morley

DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the value of all payments made under each project heading to(a) Arthur Andersen, (b) Ernst and Young, (c) Deloitte and Touche and (d) PricewaterhouseCoopers in each financial year since 1996–97. [44032]

Mr. Morley

DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contracts were let by her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to(a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen for consultancy services for the financial years (i)1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration in each case. [33845]

Mr. Morley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Christopher Leslie) on 14 February,Official Report, column 564W.