HC Deb 06 June 1990 vol 173 cc613-4W
Mr. Amos

To ask the Prime Minister what topics have been covered in the efficiency unit's central scrutiny programme in the last financial year; and how many of the scrutiny reports have been published.

The Prime Minister

Twenty-three efficiency scrutinies have been undertaken by Departments in 1989–90 in association with the efficiency adviser and the efficency unit. The programme of scrutinies, including those which are not yet completed, is as follows:

Department and title of scrutiny Report publicly available
Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Entry Processing Arrangements (Import and Export Freight) No
Department of Employment Take-up of Employment Department Programmes No
Department of Energy UKAEA Programme Letters for Nuclear R&D and other nuclear work No
Department of Education and Science Education Support Grants and LEA Training Grants Scheme Yes
Department of the Environment Housing Management Training No
Departments of Health and Social Security Provision and Cost-effectiveness of External Consultancy Yes
Department of Social Security Departmental Debt No
Department of Trade and Industry Charging for Central Services Yes
Department of Transport Vehicle Excise Duty Enforcement No
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Financial Management at FCO Headquarters No
Home Office Government Funding of the Voluntary Sector Yes
Prison Medical Service No
Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce Middle Management Structure No
Inland Revenue Repayment Claims No
PAYE Payment Dates No
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food EC Product Classifications for Export Refund Purposes Yes
Ministry of Defence Married Quarters in London Area No
NAAFI No
Fixed Wing Aircraft Maintenance No
Overseas Development Administration Aid Expenditure Management No
Property Services Agency Cost-competitiveness Initiative No
Scottish Office Roads Directorate No
Welsh Office Education Grants (Welsh Office) No

Decisions on the publication of scrutiny reports are taken by the Ministers responsible for the scrutinies concerned. In a number of cases, where a scrutiny has been recently completed or is not yet complete, no decision on publication has been made.

A number of other scrutinies have also been conducted according to full scrutiny disciplines and with guidance from the efficiency unit:

Metropolitan Police Scrutiny Programme

  • Thames Division

Other Police Forces

  • Communication
  • Training
  • Force Administration
  • Recruitment
  • Police Hostel Accommodation
  • Criminal Investigation Department
  • Community Relations
  • Prosecution Process
  • Accident Reporting Procedures
  • Force Inspectorate

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