To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) consultancy and (b) other contracts his Department has had with KPMG since 1 May 1997; and if KPMG is a prospective candidate for contracts his Department is intending to let. [81421]

[holding answer 19 April 1999]: The Treasury has let two contracts with KPMG since May 1997, one for consultancy on "Credit Risk Policy" for the Debt Management Office, and the other to carry out a telephone survey on "Small to Medium Enterprises".KPMG is a prospective candidate for future contracts. The contracts cannot be disclosed as they are commercially confidential until an award has been announced.