To ask the Minister for the Olympics what payments the Olympic Delivery Authority has made to Mandate/AS Biss in the last 12 months; for what purpose; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the contract under which such payments have been made. (305107)

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has a programme of active engagement across central, regional, devolved, and local government.

To assist this process it has used the services of Mandate Communications, jointly with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), to provide research, administrative and event management support. This contract was competitively tendered. Over the last 12 months the ODA spend with Mandate was £51,634.82 excluding VAT.

It is not possible to provide a copy of the contract as it is a joint contract with LOCOG, which is a private company.

To ask the Minister for the Olympics with reference to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 3 February 2009, Official Report, column 976W, on departmental public relations, which public relations consultancy was hired; for what purpose; and what consideration was given to undertaking the activity using Government press officers. (305168)

Fleishman-Hillard Group Limited were procured to provide a consultancy service, which included research and communications advice.

Government Press Officers were not considered for this role as the service required did not involve media work and was therefore outside press officers expertise.