To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list showing the number, nature and value of contracts awarded by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Andersen, Grant Thornton, BDO Stoy Hayward, Pannel Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37315]

During 1995–96 one contract was awarded to KPMG for assistance in the review of pay, grading and appraisal, and one to Coopers and Lybrand in connection with the privatisation programme. No contracts were awarded to any of the other firms during 1995–96, nor have any contracts been awarded to any of the firms this year.I am unable to provide values for the contracts as this information is commercially confidential.