§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the report by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company on its efficiency study of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has been received.
§ Mr. John MooreYes. The firm of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell was appointed jointly by the Secretary of State for Energy and the authority to review and make recommendations on the efficiency and economy with which the authority uses the resources available to it for the conduct of its programmes. A copy of its report has been placed in the Library.
The consultants found no overall cause for concern about the efficiency of the authority and they commented on the high level of competence and effectiveness in a number of areas. They have identified some areas where they recommend improvements to present procedures or further more detailed study. In two areas, the operation of the present structure for determining and controlling the authority's programmes and the financial and resource management information systems, an outside consultant will be appointed jointly by the Secretary of State for Energy and the authority to take the lead in carrying out a more detailed review. The other areas pinpointed by the consultants will be studied in detail by the authority, which will report on follow-up action in the near future to its Chief Executive and the Department.