§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what specific financial efficiency and quality of service targets he has approved for(a) contributory national insurance benefits, (b) non-contributory national insurance benefits, (c) means-tested benefits and (d) the social fund.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardIn a statement to the House on 17 May 1989, my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State announced the publication of a definition of the service to be provided to the public and said that the definition would be backed up by specific targets for performance.
830WSubsequent to the statement on 17 May, national performance targets for the years 1989–90 to 1991–92, in terms of clearance times in working days (unless otherwise indicated) and percentage error rates, were lodged in the Library.
Targets for 1990–91 to 1992–93 are currently being reviewed.
There are no specific financial efficiency targets for individual benefits at present.