HC Deb 14 July 1993 vol 228 cc509-10W
Mr. Page

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Government Departments have introduced monthly budgets with analysis of variations of performance against targets.

Entitlements for 1993–94 cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends
Cash limits on Votes Annual
Class Vote Accounting Department Description of expenditure £ thousands
I Ministry of Defence Operational and support costs, logistics services and systems procurement and research 95,375
II 1 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Overseas representation 8,201
II 3 Foreign and Commonwealth Office External broadcasting and monitoring 2,597
III 4 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agricultural, food and fishing services 1,873
IV 1 Department of Trade and Industry Support for business, consumer and investor protection, energy programmes and administration 3,304
IV 6 Export Credits Guarantee Department Administration 2,000
V 1 Department of Employment Programmes and central services 714
VI 1 Department of Transport National roads, England 21,107
VI 2 Department of Transport Administration and transport services 2,000
VI 4 Department of Transport Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 2,000
VI 5 Department of Transport Local roads and transport 1,919
VII 5 Department of the Environment Central environmental services, etc., England 669
VII 7 Department of the Environment Administration 1,386
VII 10 Ordnance Survey Ordnance survey 63
VIII 2 Home Office Prisons, England and Wales 1,728
VIII 3 Home Office Administration, immigration, probation and police support services, England and Wales 1,847
IX 11 Public Record Office Public Record Office 2,000

Mr. Portillo

This information is not collected centrally. The 1986 multi-departmental review of budgeting recommended thatbudget should include output and performance indicators, and there should be regular evaluation of what has been achieved compared with the objectives which have been set". Most Departments made good progress in meeting this principle. The subsequent next steps initiative, which requires the responsible Minister to set performance targets for each of his agencies normally covering financial performance, efficiency—including unit costs—and quality of service, has led to significant further improvements: typically, the 90 agencies analyse variations of performance against targets on a monthly basis.