To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on consultancy contracts in 2008-09. (272583)

In 2008-09, the Home Office and its agencies (the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau) spent £140 million on consultancy services, such as project management, legal services and assistance with major projects, with a wide range of consultants. This represents 7 per cent. of Home Office expenditure on third party goods and services.