HC Deb 28 November 1983 vol 49 c654
42. Mr. Eggar

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will revise the annual performance review forms for civil servants.

Mr. Hayhoe

Yes. We are currently discussing with Departments and the Civil Service unions major revisions to the procedures for staff reporting and appraisal.

Mr. Eggar

As almost 90 per cent. of civil servants are judged to be above average in their performance, is the revision not long overdue? Will my hon. Friend confirm that any such revision will absorb the introduction of merit pay?

Mr. Hayhoe

The reform is a useful one to be introducing. I fear that my hon. Friend may have misunderstood figures that I gave earlier this year, including the 90 per cent. rating. The 90 per cent. figure could represent those civil servants who are shown on the appraisal form to be working competently or better. Merit pay is under consideration.