To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

[holding answer 12 March 1990]: There were no fees paid to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Employment Department Group (excluding the Training Agency) in the financial period from 1979–80 to 1987–88 inclusive.Fees to the value of £369,000 were incurred in 1988–89.Costs incurred by the Employment Department Group in connection with the privatisation programme in 1989–90 and 1990–91 will be reported to Parliament in due course in the usual way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

[holding answer 12 March 1990]: Expenditure on management consultancy in the Employment Department Group (excluding the Training Agency) in each year from 1984–85 to 1988–89 was as follows: