§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to extend the next steps programme.
§ Mr. WaldegraveTo date, 76 executive agencies have been launched. The 30 executive units of HM Customs and Excise and the 34 executive offices of the Inland Revenue are also operating fully on next steps lines. Over half the civil service is now working in organisations covered by the programme. A further 29 activities employing almost 70,000 civil servants have been identified as candidates for executive agency status. It is my aim that by the end of this year all the candidates for agency status will have been identified. These candidates will be announced to the House by the appropriate departmental Minister in due course. It is my expectation that by mid 1995 around 75 per cent. of the civil service will be working in organisations operating on next steps lines.