To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total value was of contracts his Department held with (a) ER Consultants and (b) Praesta in each of the last three years; and which Ministers have made use of each company’s services. (90908)

[holding answer 11 September 2006]: A complete answer to this question could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. I can tell the hon. Member, however, that the Department spent the following with ER Consultants over the last three financial years:

The Department also spent £8,800 with Praesta in 2005.