§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many contracts have been let to Arthur Andersen by his Department since 1997 on(a) matters relating to the railways and (b) other matters; [33045]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2002, Official Report, column 584W, on departmental consultants, on what matters relating to Railtrack his Department is continuing to receive advice from Arthur Andersen. [33046]
§ Mr. Byers[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 2002, c. 1097W]: I have further information on the number of contracts awarded to Arthur Andersen. The additional contract was for auditing work on the Railways Pension Scheme.
The number of contracts that have been let to Arthur Andersen since 1997 are as follows:
Three—two on accountancy and taxation issues relating to the administration process and on the restructuring of Railtrack plc. One as external auditors for the Railways Pension Scheme (appointed by the corporate trustee of the scheme, Railway Pension Trustee Company Ltd.Three—two are framework agreements (framework agreements do not guarantee work; each firm on the agreement has to bid for individual tenders). One housing research project was also completed in 1999.