HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 cc484-5W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to personnel management staff within the Driving Standards Agency concerning retraining following a formal complaint under chapter 17 of his Department's staff handbook. [14440]

Mr. Norris

The Driving Standards Agency is producing a revised course on new desk instructions.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each agency within his Department his plans for changes to annual staff reporting and promotion procedures. [14432]

Mr. Norris

I have none. However, where the chief executives of my Department's agencies have such plans, these are shownDRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSING AGENCY Promotion Planning to introduce changes to the internal job application and promotion procedures. A new application form covering both procedures will support more objective assessments of the skills required for the advertised post and the applicant's suitability for it. DRIVING STANDARDS AGENCY Planning to review the current staff repotting and promotion procedures. HIGHWAYS AGENCY Annual staff reporting Will pilot a new staff appraisal system in 1996–97 with a view to introducing it in 1997–98. The new system aims to improve the accuracy and consistency of reporting standards, provide a more effective means for staff and their managers to identify development needs and to encourage a frequent and constructive dialogue on performance. THE COASTGUARD AGENCY Annual staff reporting Aiming to introduce changes from November 1996. VEHICLE CERTIFICATION AGENCY Annual staff reporting Planning to introduce new appraisal and reporting procedures in 1997–98. VEHICLE INSPECTORATE Promotion Developing arrangements for selecting the most suitable applicants for posts by means of assessment centres.