HC Deb 14 November 1997 vol 300 cc683-4W
Mr. Laxton

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the Quinquennial Review of the Government Property Lawyers. [16664]

The Attorney-General

In accordance with the Government's Policy on periodic reviews of executive agencies the Treasury Solicitor will set in hand this month a thorough review of the Government Property Lawyers. The remit for this review will be as follows:

To carry out a review of the Government Property Lawyers, in accordance with Cabinet Office (OPS) guidance and agreed timetable by

  1. (a) evaluating performance of the Agency since launch;
  2. (b) thoroughly re-examining the case for: abolition, privatisation, contracting out, market testing, rationalisation or merger with other areas of government, and agency or NDPB status, with a view to reaching a future status which will provide the most appropriate and cost effective way of carrying out the functions so as to deliver best value for money and service; and
  3. (c) making recommendations accordingly to the Treasury Solicitor on which he can advise the Attorney-General.

Health authority 1995–96 Deficit as a percentage of income 1996–97 Deficit as a percentage of income 1997–98 Deficit as a percentage of income
Clwyd DHA -0.65 n/a n/a
Gwynedd DHA -0.78 n/a n/a
Mid Glamorgan DHA -0.32 n/a n/a
West Glamorgan DHA -0.24 n/a n/a
Bro Taf HA n/a — -1.7
Dyfed Powys HA n/a -0.54 -2.0
Gwent HA n/a -0.39 -0.4
Morgannwg HA n/a –0.39 -0.8
North Wales HA n/a -1.04 -2.4

Figures based on data provided by health authorities' monitoring returns.

n/a=relates to Health Authority reorganisation.

In order to ensure that all options are considered fully, comments from interested parties will be welcome. Comments should be sent by 5 December to the following address:

  • Mr. C. A. Woolley
  • Treasury Solicitor's Department
  • Room 253
  • Queen Anne's Chambers
  • 28 Broadway
  • London SW1H 9JS.

The results of the review will be announced in the Spring.