HL Deb 24 June 1991 vol 530 c33WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What meaning they attach to the word "efficiency", as used on page 15 of the Social Security Benefits Agency Business Plan, and in particular, whether the definition of "efficiency" includes the accuracy of the decisions reached.

Lord Henley

In the context of the Benefits Agency's Business Plan, "efficiency" means that, as a result of management action, services are delivered at no less a standard, but at a lower administration cost than they would otherwise have been. The agency has separate targets for accuracy, shown in the plan.