§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in achieving the target of a reduction of 1.5 per cent. in his 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 his responsibility.
§ Mr. LangThe overall level of running costs for my Department is agreed with Treasury each year on the basis that efficiency gains of 1.5 per cent. must be delivered. Departments must then ensure they operate within the overall running cost limit set, and my Departments are on target to do so in 1992–93.
Delivery of specific savings and improvements in efficiency is the responsibility of managers throughout each of my Departments working within designated budgets and performance targets which reflect the need to produce efficiency gains through increased output and reduction in costs. In identifying opportunities for savings, managers can call on support and expert advice from specialists in areas such as organisation of work and purchasing. Internal management plans define prospective savings and check on the delivery of what was planned for the previous year. The specific details requested are not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.