asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state, in tabular form, the total sum spent by his Department on outside professional consultancies of all kinds in each of the years 1970 to date.
Written Answers. - Professional Consultancies.
584.
The information requested is as follows in relation to the Vote for Foreign Affairs:
|
Year |
Amount Spent |
|
£ |
|
|
1970-1982 |
Nil |
|
1983 |
19,167.81 |
|
1984 |
20,760.80 |
|
1985 (to 30 April) |
6,725.71 |
The bilateral aid programme of the Vote for international co-operation which is administered by my Department also involves the engagement of consultancy services for projects under the technical assistance programmes. It is estimated that to elicit the information sought by the Deputy would require the detailed examination of files relating to some 200 projects and take up the time of two or more officers over five working days. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that the cost involved would be excessive.