§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many programme analysis reviews are at present being carried out in Departments; in which Departments they are being carried out; and if he will publish the results.
§ Mr. BiffenThe Government have reexamined the arrangements for handling policy reviews. No further studies are being instituted under the previous PAR—programme analysis and review—arrangements. Effort will now be concentrated on the annual scrutiny of a number or particular activities and functions by Departments, which Ministers are undertaking with the help of Sir Derek Rayner. Other policy reviews will be undertaken as required. Certain outstanding PAR studies are to be completed. It remains the Government's policy not to disclose or identify PAR studies publicly but362W generally to make available as much as possible of the analytical information assembled for policy reviews.