§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will report progress on the initiative to improve financial management in Government Departments.
§ Mr. Peter ReesA White Paper on "Progress in Financial Management in Government Departments" (Cmnd. 9297) was published today. It reports the good progress Departments have made since the publication in September 1983 of the White Paper (Cmnd. 9058) describing their plans. However, much remains to be done. We shall continue to give this work high priority in order to secure lasting improvements in the management of the business of Government Departments; make the best use of the talent and expertise in the Civil Service; and give the taxpayer better value for money year by year.