To ask Her Majesty's Government which (a) auditors, and (b) firms providing consultancy and advisory services, have been approved for use by departments and their agencies in each of the past five years for which information is available. [HL1706]

There is no central approval process in Government for (a) auditors or (b) firms providing consultancy and advisory services used by departments and their agencies. Government departments and their agencies are responsible for procuring these services directly from suppliers.

Buying Solutions operates a management consultancy and accounting services framework agreement. Suppliers can bid to be on framework agreements when such contracts are let by Buying Solutions or individual departments. In these cases, as with all public sector contracts, departments and agencies are required to achieve value for money through fair and open competition. Procurers are required to award each contract to the bidder offering the best combination of quality and whole-life costs that meets the users' requirements.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria are used to determine whether a firm can be put on the approved list for consultancy and advisory services. [HL1711]

Government do not maintain lists of approved suppliers. Buying Solutions operates a management consultancy and accounting services Framework Agreement. Suppliers can bid to be on framework agreements when such contracts are let by Buying Solutions or individual departments. In these cases, as with all public sector contracts, departments and agencies are required to achieve value for money through fair and open competition. Procurers are required to award each contract to the bidder offering the best combination of quality and whole-life costs that meets the users' requirements.