To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) bonuses and (b) incentives have been paid to (i) consultants and (ii) contractors engaged by his Department in each of the last three years. (300637)

The Department does not directly employ consultants or contractors. Consequently, details of their salaries are not held by the Department as they are a matter for individuals and their employing company.

Management consultancy organisations are commercially contracted by the Department. Contracts are based on satisfactory completion of set tasks defined in the contracted scope of works. Unsatisfactory delivery of these tasks would result in payment being withheld by the Department in line with the terms of each contract.

Contractors are engaged through commercial contracts by individual directorates. While there may be instances where incentives relating to successful outcomes have been used, information breaking down costs paid to individual contractors is not held centrally on the Department's business management system.