HC Deb 15 April 1991 vol 189 cc37-9W
38. Mr. Rowe

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the progress so far achieved by "next steps" agencies.

Mr. Renton

This month the number of "next steps" agencies reaches 50 with over 200,000 staff working on "next steps" lines. The following table sets out the agencies and announced candidates. Demanding financial and quality of service targets are being set and delivered. They show that the initiative is succeeding.

Next steps—Executive agencies established as of 15 April 1991
Number
Building Research Establishment 690
Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments) 220
Central Office of Information1 730
Central Veterinary Laboratory 580
Chemical Biological Defence Establishment2 580
Civil Service College 210
Companies House 1,150
Defence Research Agency 11,700
Directorate General of Defence Accounts2 2,100
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 5,450
Driving Standards Agency 2,050
Employment Service 35,600
Forensic Science Service 580
Historic Royal Palaces 300
Historic Scotland 580
HMSO1 3,300
Number
Hydrographic Office2 880
Information Technology Services Agency 3,350
Insolvency Service 1,450
Intervention Board 910
Laboratory of the Government Chemist 320
Land Registry 10,400
Meteorological Office 2,250
Military Survey2 850
National Engineering Laboratory 430
National Physical Laboratory 820
National Weights and Measures Laboratory 50
Natural Resources Institute 390
NHS Estates 120
Occupational Health Service 100
Ordnance Survey 2,500
Patent Office 1,150
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre 70
Radiocommunications Agency 500
RAF Maintenance2 5,700
Rate Collection Agency (Northern Ireland) 280
Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency 320
Registers of Scotland 1,100
Resettlement Agency 510
Royal Mint1 1,050
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency 230
Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)2 2,300
Social Security Benefits Agency 68,000
Social Security Contributions Agency 6,600
Training & Employment Agency (Northern Ireland) 1,700
United Kingdom Passport Agency 1,200
Vehicle Certification Agency 70
Vehicle Inspectorate1 1,650
Veterinary Medicines Directorate 70
Warren Spring Laboratory 320
50 in number 183,460
Customs & Excise3 (30 Executive Units) 26,800
210,260
1 Trading Funds.
2 Defence Support Agency. Figure does not include service personnel.
3 Moving towards full operation on Next Steps lines following publication of Framework Documents.
Next steps—activities announced by Departments as under consideration as of 15 April 1991
Number
ADAS Agency 2,500
Central Science Laboratory 340
Central Statistical Office 1,050
Chessington Computer Centre 440
Child Support Agency1 not yet known
Fuel Suppliers Branch 30
Planning Inspectorate 570
Pollution Inspectorate 230
Property Holdings 1,650
Public Record Office 430
RAF Training2 2,500
Royal Parks 600
Teachers' Pensions Branch 300
The Buying Agency3 120
Valuation Office 5,250
Youth Treatment Service 210
Ordnance Survey (Northern Ireland) 200
Social Security Operations (Northern Ireland) 5,000
18 in number 21,420
Inland Revenue4 (excluding Valuation Office) 59,800
Total 81,220
1 From April 1993 the Agency is estimated to require 4,500 staff, 1,500 of which will come from the Social Security Benefits Agency.

2 Defence Support Agency. Figure does not include service personnel.

3 Trading Fund.

4 Moving towards full operation on "next steps" lines in accordance with the action plan of February 1991: 33 Executive Offices by April 1992, each with a framework document, sharper accountabilities and wider managerial freedom.

Staffing figures are based on staff in post 1 October 1990. Many other areas are under consideration.

Mr. John Garrett

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in theOfficial Report, when each of the "next steps" agencies so far established will produce a report showing its results compared with the performance criteria laid down in its framework document.

Mr. Renton

Agencies will publish their annual reports and accounts as soon as possible after the end of the financial year. Those reports will include information on achievement of key performance targets.