HC Deb 19 January 1995 vol 252 cc589-90W
Ms Janet Anderson

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what evaluation he has made of value for money in the next steps agencies.

Mr. Robert G. Hughes

As described in the White Paper, "The Civil Service, Continuity and Change" Cm 2627, each next steps agency is reviewed at five-yearly intervals. The process includes an evaluation of the agency's performance by the responsible Minister which also covers value for money issues.

The record of agencies in improving effectiveness and efficiency in government is summarised in the Next Steps Review 1994, Cm 2750. It shows that, in total, agencies met 80 per cent. of their targets in 1993–94. This represents a trend of improvement over last year's figure of 77 per cent. and the previous year's 76 per cent.