To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what payments English Partnerships (a) has made and (b) is contracted to make to Fleishman-Hillard; and for what purposes. (252642)

English Partnerships made one payment to Fleishman-Hillard of £3,500 plus VAT in June 2008. This was in relation to public affairs work on the Blackwall Reach project, commissioned by English Partnerships' Thames Gateway Team. Fleishman-Hillard were just one of a number of companies on the English Partnerships Public Relations Panel. Members of this panel are selected through a competitive tender process. There are currently no further contractual payments due.