§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the efficiency of the Charity Commission.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerI do not think that a further review is necessary. The efficiency of the Charity Commission is regularly reviewed by Home Office Ministers, notably as part of the public expenditure process. The Charity Commission is making significant improvements in efficiency, particularly through the introduction of new computerised methods of working, and is carrying through a development programme to enable it to carry out its new responsibilities under the Charities Act 1993. An independent review of the Commission's senior structure and staffing has just been completed which will bring further gains. The Commission has also achieved gains through a recent market test of its managerial and paper-keeping services.