HC Deb 06 April 1987 vol 114 cc24-5W
Mr. Alan Howarth

asked the Prime Minister what topics were covered in the efficiency unit's central scrutiny programme in 1986–87.

The Prime Minister

A strong programme of efficiency scrutinies was carried out in association with Sir Robin Ibbs and the efficiency unit in the year ended 31 March 1987. Scrutinies in the programme were as follows:

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
    • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Her Majesty's Customs and Excise
    • Patterns of Attendance
    • VAT Control Officers' Skills
  • Ministry of Defence
    • Administrative Movement in British Forces Germany
    • Project Management
  • Department of Education and Science
    • Procedures under the Education Act for the
    • Reorganisation of Schools in England
  • Department of Energy
    • Publications
  • Department of the Environment
    • Planning Enforcement Appeals
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office
    • Overseas Information Services Funded by the FCO
  • Department of Health and Social Security
    • Liable Relative Procedures
    • Competitive Tendering
  • Home Office
    • Probation Inspectorate
    • Supervision of Charities
  • Inland Revenue
    • Leaflets and Booklets
    • Taxation of Unemployment Benefit
  • Northern Ireland
    • Prison Maintenance
  • Overseas Development Administration
    • Identification, Design, Appraisal and Approval of Bi-lateral Aid Projects and Programmes
  • Property Services Agency
    • Professional Services in the PSA
    • Project Management
  • Scottish Office
    • Sea Fisheries Protection
  • Department of Trade and Industry
    • National Measurement System
    • Dissemination of Patent Information (jointly with Office of Arts and Libraries)
  • Department of Transport
    • Marine Survey Service
    • Chief Highway Engineer's Directorate
  • Welsh Office
    • Community Care

The scrutiny programme is a continuous one—some of the above scrutinies began late in the period and are still in progress.

In addition the efficiency unit itself conducted a wide ranging scrutiny on improving management in the Civil Service.

A number of other scrutinies were also conducted according to full scrutiny disciplines and with guidance from the efficiency unit. These were:

Metropolitan Police Force

  • The Metropolitan Police Band
  • Police Overtime

In addition, the programme of second round scrutinies in the National Health Service is now nearing completion.