§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the targets he expects the Registers of Scotland executive agency to achieve in 1995–96. [18275]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI have set the Registers of Scotland the following key targets for 1995–96:
- to reduce the turnround time over the year for recording writs on the sasine register from 35 working days to 33 working days, with performance in any quarter not exceeding 36.5 working days;
- to reduce the turnround time over the year for dealings on the land register not attached to a first registration or a transfer of part from 57.5 working days to 55 working days, with performance in any quarter not exceeding 60.5 working days;
- to reduce unit costs in real terms by 4 per cent. against 1994–95 target for sasines and 7 per cent. against 1994–95 target for dealings;
- to continue the land register extension programme and achieve the transfer of Aberdeen and Kincardine on 1 April 1996;
- to achieve trading fund status by 1 April 1996;
- to recover full operating costs; and
- to achieve at least 97 per cent. of customers expressing themselves satisfied with the accuracy of work and helpfulness of staff for all parts of the business.