To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what payments Ordnance Survey has made to Mandate Communications/AS Biss in the last 12 months; for what purposes; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the contracts under which such payments have been made. (302216)

Mandate Communications provides Ordnance Survey with consultancy and advice on Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.

Payments made by Ordnance Survey to Mandate Communications for these services for the 12 months up to the 31 October 2009 total £ 53,900 inclusive of VAT.

I am unable to place a copy of Ordnance Survey’s contract with Mandate Communications in the Library of the House due to its content being commercially confidential.