HC Deb 18 February 1992 vol 204 cc125-6W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the maximum salary payable to the chief executive of the Accounts Services executive agency, including peformance-related element, and the length of time of the chief executive's contract.

Mr. Leigh

The maximum salary payable to the chief executive is at present determined by reference to the standard grade 5 range on which he is paid. The range is £36,178 to £47,921, excluding London weighting, in London and £34,667 to £46,122 elsewhere. The term of the appointment is five years.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list those new facilities for staff, including nurseries and health-care schemes, which have been introduced in the Accounts Services executive agency since its establishment;

(2) if he will list the new forms of alternative working patterns introduced into the Accounts Services executive agency since its establishment; and if he will provide a breakdown by grade of the numbers of staff taking up each new working pattern.

Mr. Leigh

These are operational matters for the agency's chief executive. I have, therefore, asked him to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of the Accounts Services executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by the parent department or the new agency.

Mr. Leigh

The launch of the agency was an operational matter for its chief executive. I have therefore asked him to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the quality-of-service performance indicators adopted by the Accounts Services executive agency since its establishment; and if he will identify separately those quality-of-service performance indicators already operative prior to the agency status.

Mr. Leigh

The agency's chief executive and his managers set and monitor their own internal management targets for performance, including quality of service measures. However, a distinctive feature of next steps has been the setting by Ministers, and a formal announcement, of targets for agencies, and publication of details of their subsequent performance.

For details of these ministerial targets for the Accounts Service executive agency I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 15 October 1991, Official Report, column 128.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the first degree obtained by the chief executive of the Accounts Services executive agency; and from which university or polytechnic it was awarded.

Mr. Leigh

This question seeks personal information about an individual. I have therefore drawn it to the attention of the chief executive of the agency.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the cash amount per person awarded in the last year for which figures were available, and the conditions attached to its award, of the group bonus scheme operated by the Accounts Services executive agency.

Mr. Leigh

The agency has not yet introduced a group bonus scheme.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the last annual report for the Accounts Services executive agency was published: and when the next one is due.

Mr. Leigh

The first annual report for the agency is expected to be published in summer 1992.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were in post on the date that the Accounts Services executive agency was established; and how many are in post now.

Mr. Leigh

The numbers of staff in post on I October 1991, the date when the agency was established, and on 1 February 1992, were 91.5 and 89.5 respectively. These numbers represent permanent staff with part-timers counted as half. Casuals are excluded.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable, including performance-related elements, in each case where appointments have been made to the Accounts Services executive agency at grade 7 or above since its establishment.

Mr. Leigh

Of the four posts in the Accounts Services agency at grade 7 and above, one has been the subject of an appointment since its establishment. This is a grade 7 post filled by a transfer from within the Department. The maximum salary payable is determined by reference to the grade 7 pay scale, this is £24,379 to £34,667, excluding London weighting, in London and £23,329 to £33,175 elsewhere.