HC Deb 28 March 1995 vol 257 c580W
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the targets he expects the Scottish Record Office to achieve in 1995–96. [17152]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I have set the Scottish Record Office the following key targets for 1995–96to reduce the unit cost of preserving and making available the records of Scotland by 4 per cent. in real terms; to increase the number of catalogue entries available for public scrutiny on the electronic system from 119,000 in 1994–95 to 122,000; to produce material from the same building for readers in 30 minutes or less in 90 per cent. of cases, absorbing up to a 2 per cent. increase in demand; to answer 85 per cent. of correspondence within 10 days, absorbing up to a 2 per cent. increase in demand; and to discuss with every shadow local authority the arrangements each proposes for the preservation and management of the records of the new councils after 1 April 1996.