Written question asked by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 October 2011. It was answered by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 November 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Departmental Consultants

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2011, Official Report, column 1029W, on departmental procurement, how many contracts involved the provision of consultancy services; how many contracts involved the employment of a consultant within his Department; whether any such consultants remained in employment on the latest date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: None of the purchase orders awarded to third sector organisations between May 2010 and August 2011 that were set out in the answer of 19 October 2011 fall within the Government Procurement Service definition of consultancy:"““the provision to management of objective advice relating to strategy, structure, management or operations of an organisation, in pursuit of its purpose and objectives””."Such advice will be provided outside the 'business-as-usual' environment when in-house skills are not available and will be time-limited. Consultancy may include the identification of options with recommendations, or assistance with (but the not the delivery of) the implementation of solutions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 77720; 534 c613W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Consultants Department of Health
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk