HC Deb 20 December 1995 vol 268 cc1213-4W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what criteria are used to measure the success of the citizens charter unit. [6896]

Mr. Willetts

The key criterion is improvement in the standards and responsiveness of public services. A full account of this is set out in "The Citizen's Charter: The Facts and Figures", Cm 2970.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the responsibilities of the citizens charter unit. [6894]

Mr. Willetts

The unit works with the Prime Minister's advisory panel on the citizens charter and aims to improve the standard and responsiveness of public services. Its main tasks are:

(i) promoting use of Charters quality improvement through workshops, conferences, support to local Charter Quality Networks, Charter News;

included in its annual publication, "Health and Safety Statistics", copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House. However, global estimates for work-related ill health compiled by the HSE from the 1990 labour force survey pointed to some 2.2 million cases of work-related ill health.

(ii) advising services on Charters;(iii) running the annual Charter Mark awards scheme and associated Charter Mark nomination scheme;(iv) monitoring and reporting progress through the Charter White Paper and other means.
Mr. Jones

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the cost to public funds in each financial year since its establishment of the citizens charter unit. [6893]

Mr. Willetts

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 12 December 1995,Official Report, column 634.