§ Sir Irvine PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the United Kingdom Passport472W Agency performed against its targets in 199–6; and what performance targets he has set for the agency in 1996–97. [27769]
§ Mr. Kirkhope[pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1996, column 431]I am pleased to say that the United Kingdom Passport Agency achieved all its targets in 1995–96. The targets for processing properly completed straightforward applications were met despite a 20 per cent. increase in demand for passport services with an average turnround time for the whole year of 6.1 working days, well within the average target of seven working days. The Passport Agency's financial target was to reduce its unit cost by 5 per cent. in real terms. The latest indications are that the agency has achieved a 7.25 per cent. real terms reduction in its unit cost. Another notable achievement was the re-award of the Chartermark in December 1995.
During 1996–97, I shall expect the Passport Agency to continue to improve its standard of service to the public, while seeking further efficiency savings in its operations.
I have set the agency the following key targets:
- 1. to process properly completed straightforward applications within a maximum of 15 working days between April and October 1996, and 10 working days from 1 November 1996 onwards.
- 2. to reduce unit costs by a further 3 per cent. in real terms in comparison with the outturn for 1995–96.
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 delivering services to the public, will continue to provide me with an independent assessment of the agency's performance.