§ Mr. BaldryTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on whether there have been improvements in the delivery of service to the public and in labour relations in the civil service agencies established so far.
§ Mr. LuceThe main aim of the next steps initiative is to deliver Government services more efficiently and effectively, within available resources, for the benefit of taxpayers, customers and staff. Developments in service delivery and in industrial relations in individual agencies are matters for the Departments and agencies concerned, (in the light of responsibilities in each agency's framework document). Our overall policy is that each agency will account for its performance on an annual basis through a published report and accounts. We are also developing a policy evaluation framework for the initiative.