§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list for each departmental policy review presently in progress or scheduled,(a) a description of the purpose of the review and (b) its expected date of completion. [10189]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 22 July 1997]: The following policy reviews are presently in progress.
The Post Office Review
To examine the options for granting greater commercial freedom to the Post Office to enable it to meet new challenges and opportunities.It is too early yet to say when the review will be completed.
The Foresight Audit
To establish the level of foresight activity currently under way and to formulate plans for improving co-ordination between Departments.To report to Ministers by the summer recess.
Export Forum
To review the effectiveness of current official export promotion programmes and to make recommendations for a new export initiative.To report to Ministers by the autumn.The Utilities Review
To review the regulation of the utility industries to ensure that they deliver value, quality and choice to the consumers.To be completed by the end of the year.
There are currently no further policy reviews scheduled.