§ Mr. Maplesasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken by his Department since May 1979 to improve its efficiency; what has been the result; what further steps are currently being taken to improve efficiency; what the results are expected to be; and what output criteria have been developed by his Department to help measure its efficiency.
§ Mr. RidleyResource budgeting systems have been introduced for the planning and control of administrative expenditure and manpower. These have led to savings through dropping functions and contracting out others and by improving efficiency and streamlining within the organisation. Eleven centrally co-ordinated efficiency studies (Rayner studies) have been completed since 1979 and three further reviews are included in the programme for 1984–85. Together, these measures have resulted in manpower savings of more than 2,000 (12.6 per cent.) in the period to 1 April 1984.
I am determined to keep up the drive for economy and to keep running costs at the minimum level necessary to carry out the Department's functions. With this aim in view, I am currently engaged in a review of objectives and costs, including administrative and programme expenditure, as part of an integrated top management system which I am developing within the framework of the financial management initiative.
Objectives and information on performance and expenditure in relation to roads and local transport have been published. For the executive tasks which account for three quarters of the Department's work, I am developing management accounting systems. These will provide an improved basis for serving value for money in relation to output and performance and for setting and controlling fees.