HC Deb 13 February 1995 vol 254 cc662-4
35. Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further plans he has in respect of identifying examples of best practice in the delivery of public services.

Mr. Robert G. Hughes

As well as the customer nominations for charter marks, we will be talking about charter publications, charter quality networks and seminars, publishing White Papers on the citizens charter and next steps agencies, as well as producing departmental efficiency plans.

Mr. Field

Does my hon. Friend agree that charters have cut waiting times in the health service, improved services and even made the tax man user-friendly? Conservative Members believe that the customer is king, unlike Opposition Members, who believe that public services should be run for the sole inconvenience of the public.

Mr. Hughes

My hon. Friend puts his finger on an especially important point. The only way in which one can know whether a service is matching up to what it should, is if one has the published information on which to make one's decision. Conservative Members are in favour of publishing the maximum amount of information. Every time we put such information before the House—publishing league tables for hospitals, schools or any other information—it is opposed by the Opposition. That is the difference between the Conservative party and the others.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Would the Minister like to have the total agreement of the Labour party by publishing yet another list? Will he publish the waiting list for patients before they get on to the national health service waiting list, because all that is happening with these famous charters is that everyone is fiddling the figures?

Mr. Hughes

I regret to say that the hon. Lady clearly has not read the new patients charter, which covers that.