§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in 1996–97. [30309]
§ Mr. MossFor 1996–97, the following performance targets have been set out for PRONI:
64WEfficiency
1. To reduce PRONI's composite unit cost in the areas of selecting and accessing, records listing, records storage, document production and reader service by 5 per cent. from £105.21 to £99.95.
2. To manage the agency's workload, including an anticipated 20 per cent. increase in readers and the maintenance of extended opening hours, while absorbing a 4.5 per cent. reduction in staff and ensuring that expenditure is within financial limits approved by the Department.
Quality of Service
3. To process customer queries within 10 working days of receipt in 75 per cent. of cases and within 14 working days in 96 per cent. of cases, thus improving PRONI's citizens charter commitment.
4. To upgrade 10 per cent. of 33,360 linear metres of records stored on mobile shelving at Balmoral avenue, in accordance with defined standards of archival protection.
5. With the help of a new computerised document request system to improve the speed of production to the public by reducing waiting time from 45 minutes to 40 minutes or less in 90 per cent. of cases.
Effectiveness
6. To process 335.5 linear metres of records deposited and to ensure that 100 per cent. of all new "open" material is processed within one year of receipt.