To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the projects, the purposes, and the cost of his Department's use of the Coopers and Lybrand group since 1989.

My department has made the following use of the Coopers and Lybrand group:

1989–90

Rental of a manual on synthetic Work Measurement data. There were also three secondments: one to CCTA Systems Consultancy Service Branch, to provide advice on computer systems to CCTA customers; another to give advice to departments on preparing policy evaluation plans; and a full time secondee to HM Treasury as part of the ongoing programme of inward and outward secondments.

1990-91

Rental of a manual on synthetic Work Measurement data. Pursuit project: the preparation of a commodity and supplier coding strategy.

There were also 4 secondments: one to CCTA Systems Consultancy Service Branch to provide advice on computer systems to CCTA customers; another to give advice to departments on preparing policy evaluation plans; and two full time secondees to HM Treasury as part of the ongoing programme of inward and outward secondments.

1991-92

Preparation of Guidance on Contract Strategy and selection for Works Projects; and Project Evaluation and Audits. There were also three secondments: one to CCTA Systems Consultancy Service Branch to provide advice on computer systems to CCTA customers; and two full time secondees to HM Treasury as part of the ongoing programme of inward and outward secondments.

The total value to date of the consultancies listed amount to £678,536. The cost of the individual contracts is subject to commercial confidentiality.