§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 January,Official Report, column 515, what planning system is operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe DSS planning system requires its agencies and headquarters to draw up costed plans furthering the Department's aims and objectives. The system was developed as part of the DSS response to the financial management initiative and "next steps". Plans include a range of targets, covering quality of service, efficiency and financial performance, and provide a basis for judging performance and for estimating resource requirements in the public expenditure survey.
Recent developments in the planning process will result in better and more public accountability of DSS through the published business plans and annual reports and accounts of its agencies.
An overview of the forward plans and past performance of DSS is contained in the published 1991 departmental report, Cm 1514. The 1992 report will be published in February 1992.