HL Deb 13 October 1998 vol 593 cc93-5WA

1. Improve the handling of defence export licence applications.

2. Reinforce services to Export Forum and other priority markets.

3. Improve export training and the number of secondments to and from the private sector.

4. 10 per cent. increase in fees for chargeable trade and investment services, which FCO retains.

5. Explore extension of existing EU co-operation over consular fees.

6. Reduce demand for consular services.

7. Charge a separate, higher fee for passports issued overseas.

8. Introduce a net running cost regime for consular services.

9. Introduce a net running cost regime for entry clearance operations.

10. Break down barriers between functions at posts.

11. Bring reporting by posts into line with demand and resources available.

12. Make better use of locally-engaged staff.

13. Establish clear guidelines for high-level overseas visits.

14. Lighten bureaucratic burdens at posts.

15. Better projection overseas.

16. Greater use of global policy teams.

17. Greater openness.

18. Promotion of economic skills.

19. Integration of economic advisers.

20. Establishment of an FCO intranet.

21. Transfer DFID Grant-in-Aid to the British Council to the FCO.

22. Introduce indicative budgeting for British Council activity.

23. Bring FCO subscription to BBC Monitoring into line with usage and transfer sponsorship to the Cabinet Office.

24. Rationalise commands and small management units.

25. Regular review of job weights.

26. Enhanced strategic planning.

27. A unified programme budget.

28. Development of workload indices for consular and entry clearance work.

29. Development of tools to prioritise activity.

30. A new Management Information System.

31. End-year flexibility.

32. A single FCO vote.

33. A smaller central administration.

34. Creation of an internal market for support services.

35. Creation of a service organisation.

36. Programme to rationalise the overseas estate.

37. Roll back security barriers within posts.

38. Phase out overseas security officers; management sections to take on security management duties, reinforced as necessary.

39. Possible business unit for language training.

40. Possible business unit for technical security.

41. Possible business unit for management consultancy.

42. Possible business unit for accountancy services.

43. Possible business unit for security vetting.

44. Charge OGDs for support services.

45. Consolidation of FCO handling of conferences, visits and hospitality.

46. More language training.

47. Enhanced training in global issues and media handling.

48. Recruitment of specialists.

49. Better resource management training.

50. More outward secondments.

51. New entrant induction and training.

52. Increase in overall staff numbers.

53. Implementation of Hornby Review of Allowances.

54. Introduction of assessment centres.

55. Promotion to be dependent on structural requirement.

56. Alterations to selection boards.

57. Improved exit strategy.

58. Improved personnel management information.

59. Improved strategic human resource planning and allocation.

60. Provision to be made for contingent liabilities of locally-engaged staff.