HC Deb 12 May 1993 vol 224 cc467-8W
Sir John Wheeler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance targets he has set for the United Kingdom Passport Agency in 1993–94.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

During 1993–94, I shall expect the Passport Agency to continue to provide a high standard of service to the public while seeking further efficiency savings in its operations.

I have set the agency the following key targets:

  1. (i) to process properly completed straightforward applications within a maximum of 20 working days in the periods of peak demand between January and June, 15 working days in July and August, and 10 working days at other times,
  2. (ii) to process such applications within an overall average of nine working days for the year as a whole, and
  3. (iii) to reduce unit costs by a further 3 per cent. in real terms in comparison with the outturn for 1992–93.

The chief executive will remain directly accountable to me for the performance of the Passport Agency. An advisory board, including two private sector members with experience of delivery services to the public, will continue to provide me with an independent assessment of the agency's performance.