§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what sum has been expended on consultants by(a) the Department and (b) its predecessors since May 1997. [169848]
§ Mr. LammyFrom April 1997 until March 2003, my Department's net expenditure with consultants was as follows:
1320W
£million 1997–98 0.7 1998–99 1.2 1999–2000 1.9
2000–01 2.6 2001–02 6.5 2002–03 5.7 The recent increase reflects the wide-ranging and fast-paced programme to modernise the Department's work, to increase efficiency, and provide better customer service and value for money for the taxpayer.
Delivering such a programme in the most effective and efficient way has necessitated the use of external expertise and skills to supplement the Department's own resources.
Expenditure details for the financial year 2003–04 are not yet available.