§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the recommendation of the efficiency committee report "Improving Management in Government: The Next Steps," which are within the area of responsibility of his Department.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I intend to apply the recommendations in this report as rapidly arid extensively as possible. The Department provides a wide range of services to industry and commerce, many from offices outside London, and the recommendations in the report should help in our drive to improve both the quality of these services and the value for money obtained by the taxpayer. Our first candidate will be the Companies Registration Office, whose headquarters are in Cardiff, and which employs just over 1,000 staff there and in offices in London and Edinburgh.