§ Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list and describe the studies from within or without his Department relating to the effectiveness and efficiency of his Department together with the recommendations and action taken on those recommendations.
§ Mr. David Howell[pursuant to his reply, 22 November 1982, c. 334]: The functions and manpower of my Department are subject to rigorous annual scrutiny and review under the system of manpower budgeting introduced in 1980–81 following a management review of the Department. This will have led to reductions in manpower of 12 per cent.—1,750—by the end of this
Studies Main Recommendations Action Road Construction Units (RCUs) (1979–80) Phasing out RCU sub-units and amalgamating RCU and regional office headquarters As recommended Regional Offices (1980) (jointly with DOE) Rationalisation of organisation leading to staff and other economies As recommended Research establishments support services (1981–82) (with other departments) Significant reductions of in-house effort leading to staff savings and other economies Not yet agreed, but most proposals accepted Review of roads and bridges: standards and certification (1981) Organisational changes leading to restructured headquarters and regional offices. About 50 staff savings, economies valued at £1 million a year As recommended Computer strategy (1980–81) (jointly with DOE) Develop a separate computer strategy for each main organisational unit (DTp, DOE(C) and PSA) controlled by separate Policy Groups and provide for more accountable management As recommended