§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress she has made in achieving the target of a reduction of 1.5 per cent. in her Department's running costs for the present financial year, in the first half of this financial year; and what specifically has been saved, by what means and in what areas of her responsibility.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Department's spending plans for 1992–93, including its proposals for achieving at least a 1.5 per cent. reduction in administrative costs through efficiency gains during 1992.93 are summarised in the departmental report (Cm. 1906) published in February 1992. We hope to make efficiency gains in a number of areas including: 181W
- Improved procurement procedures;
- Rationalisation of the estate;
- Improved administration procedures;
- Investment in and better control of telecommunications;
- Implementation of Internal Audit and Management Services reviews;
- Improvements in staff training; Investment in Information Technology.
Savings will be generated over a full 12-month period and the attainment of planned targets is assessed following the end of each financial year. Specific figures on savings to date are unavailable. However, at the end of the first six months of the current financial year there is every indication that the anticipated savings will be realised.