§ Lord Nathanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What factors are taken into account when considering whether or not to publish a scrutiny report, and to specify which scrutiny reports have not been published since 1st January 1988, with the reasons in each case.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Belstead)I list below the efficiency scrutinies which have been announced in the period from 1st January 1988 to date, indicating where copies of the final report are now publicly available.
The titles of scrutinies carried out in each financial year, in association with the Prime Minister's efficiency adviser and the efficiency unit, are reported to Parliament at the end of the financial year. The Prime Minister's adviser encourages publication of scrutiny reports, particularly where there is public interest in a scrutiny. Decisions on the publication of reports are, however, a matter for the Ministers responsible for the scrutinies concerned. In a number of cases a final decision on publication has yet to be taken. Some unpublished reports concern internal departmental arrangements and are not considered to have any wider public interest. Other reasons not to publish include 398WA commercial confidentiality and the use of classified material in a report. If the noble Lord its concerned about any particular scrutiny report, he may like to contact the responsible Minister.
LIST OF SCRUTINIES ANNOUNCED AND COMPLETED IN THE PERIOD BEGINNING 1ST JANUARY 1988 Title of Scrutiny Department Report Publicly Available Social Security Regional Organisation DHSS Yes Fraud Investigation (with DE) DSS/DE No Use of Consultancy Services DSS/DH No Enforcement of Milk and Dairy Regulations MAFF Yes Procedures in the Enforcement Office IR No Scheme for the Sub-Contractors in the Construction Industry IR No Internal Post IR No Schedule D Procedures IR No Arrangements for financing British Forces in Germany MOD No Non-Nuclear Research Establishments as an Agency MOD No MOD Support for Military Associated Functions at Schools and Universities MOD No Defence Accommodation Stores MOD No Married Quarters in London Area MOD No FCO/DS Administration and Support Services FCO Yes Financial Management in Budget Holding Departments FCO No Administration of Aid-Tying Rules (with DTI) ODA/DTI No Cash Releasing Cost Improvement Programme in the NHS in Wales WO No Local Roads Capital Expenditure DTp Yes Social Security Fraud NIO No Central Government Statistics CO Yes DTI Economic Statistics DTI Yes Departmental Central Services DTI Yes Administration of the Integrated Tariff C&E Yes Running Cost Implications of Information Technology C&E Yes Grants made under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1986 HO Yes Magistrates' Courts HO Yes Government Funding of the Voluntary Sector HO No Inspection Rating System HSE No Inward Visits British Council No Prison Buildings SO No Control of Administrative Expenditure in NDPBs DOE No Cost Competitiveness Intiative PSA No Land Registry NIO Yes