To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much consultants employed by his Department and its agencies have been paid (a) in total and (b) in reimbursable expenses since its inception.

Central records indicate that the Department paid a total of £6,354,203 in consultancy fees since its inception (announced on 5 June 2009) to 31 December 2009.

I have approached the Chief Executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office and the Intellectual Property Office and they will respond to hon. Member directly.

Further details, regarding reimbursable expenses, are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 28 January 2010:

I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 25 January 2010, UIN 314001, to the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Companies House has paid consultants a total £95,525 since the inception of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in June 2009 and £8,417 of that amount was in reimbursable expenses.

Letter from Sean Dennehey, dated 27 January 2010:

I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 25 January 2010, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Intellectual Property Office became an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 5 June 2009. Since that time it has spent £48,000 on consultants; this figure includes £14,000 in reimbursable expenses.

Letter from Peter Mason, dated 23 February 2010:

I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much consultants employed by his Department and its agencies have been paid (a) in total and (b) in reimbursable expenses since its inception.

The National Measurement Office became an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills when it was established on 5 June 2009. Our records indicate that since that date we have paid £159,361 to external consultants (using the OGC definition of those who supply advice related to the Agency's strategy, structure, management or operations). The reimbursable expenses of such consultants are not separately identified in our accounting system.

Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 10 March 2010:

The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question "how much consultants employed by his Department and its agencies have been paid (a) in total and (b) in reimbursable expenses since its inception".

The Insolvency Service has employed consultants since the inception of The Department for Business Innovation and Skills in the period from June 2009 to 31 December 2009, at a cost of £29,546. There were no reimbursable expenses.