HC Deb 11 July 1991 vol 194 cc459-60W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was spent on events and publicity surrounding the launch of each agency in his Department as an executive agency; and whether the cost was borne by his Department or the new agency.

Miss Widdecombe

Expenditure on events and publicity material surrounding the launch of each of the Department's executive agencies is a matter for each agency's chief executive. For the Benefits and Contributions Agencies, I refer the hon. Member to Mrs. Robinson's letter of 4 June and Miss Chant's letter of 30 May respectively to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers), copies of which are in the Library. For the Information Technology Services Agency, Mr. John Kenworthy, the chief executive, will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and Public Information Office. There was no such expenditure in relation to the Resettlement Agency.

Any expenditure incurred was borne by the agency itself.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of the group bonus scheme in operation in each agency in his Department, including the cash amount per person awarded in the last year for which figures are available, and the conditions attached to its award.

Miss Widdecombe

Of the Department's four agencies, only the Information Technology Services Agency operates a group bonus scheme. The scheme operated in 1990–91. Payments, ranging from £50 to £1,500 have been made to a total of 155 staff at a total cost of £32,325. Awards were made for the achievement of specific objectives which produced improvements in service or cash efficiency savings. This pilot scheme is part of an Information Technology Services Agency group bonus scheme which also provides for total bonus payments of up to £400,000 to be paid in 1991–92 in respect of work done in 1990–91. The conditions are that the agency achieves efficiency savings, over and above those required in the Department's management plan, of at least four times the intended bonus payments, while maintaining agreed levels of service. No payment can be made until it is verified that the conditions have been fully met. Payments to any individual are subject to a maximum limit of £5,000.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appointments from the private sector have been made to each agency in his Department at grade 7 or above since its establishment as an agency; and if he will list the post, grade and maximum salary payable including the performance-related element.

Miss Widdecombe

It is not usual to reveal details of the pay arrangements of individual officers, other than chief executives of Next Steps agencies. Within that constraint, the information requested is as follows:

Information Technology Services Agency: Three appointments have been made at grade 6, the salaries for which are all within the normal civil service range for the grade outside London. One appointment has been made at grade 5, the salary for which is above the normal civil service range for the grade.

Benefits Agency: Three appointments have been made, one at grade 5 and two at grade 6. These appointments arc within the normal civil service range for the grade within the London pay area.

No such appointments have been made in either the Contributions Agency or the Resettlement Agency.