§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list the task forces and groups which have been instituted across Government departments, their aims and objectives, the composition of each group and when each is expected to report. [2544]
§ The Prime MinisterI announced on 9 June,Official Report, columns 302–10, the composition and terms of reference of the Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet which I have established.
My Government have also announced the establishment of the following task forces and groups:
The Task Force on Youth JusticeThe Task Force's Role is to advise Home Office Ministers on Government proposals for the development of youth justice policies.The President of the Board of Trade's Advisory GroupThe group's remit is to advise the President of the Board of Trade on competitiveness. It is not expected to issue any formal reports.Competitiveness Working PartiesA number of expert groups will report to the President's Advisory Group on different aspects of competitiveness. Each group will include business people and others who could contribute an expert view to the Working Parties' remit. Each Working Party will be reporting by the end of 1997.Interdepartmental Task Force on Competitiveness in EuropeThe Task Force's role is to advise on the implementation of the Government's Manifesto objectives to complete the Single Market and promote flexible labour markets across the EU. No formal report is planned.Export ForumThe Forum will carry out a full assessment of how well our export programmes work by:looking at the strengths and weaknesses of official support for trade fairs, trade missions, identifying leads, export market research, UK firms bidding for overseas projects, and other export promotion activities:examining the current arrangements for interdepartmental consultation, the current arrangements for consultation with business, the interface between the Overseas Trade Services and Business Links, the present system for establishing market and sectoral priorities and marketing and branding of official export promotional services.The Forum will report by the Autumn.30WUK Presidency Task ForceThis Task Force will continue to meet until the end of the UK Presidency of the European Union in June 1998, at Ministerial and official level.Tax-benefit Working GroupThis Working Group will examine the interaction of the tax and benefits system so that they can be streamlined and modernised, so as to fulfil the objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency, and strengthening community and family life.New Deal Advisory Task ForceThis Task Force will advise Government on the key issues of programme policy and design. It will promote the New Deal, particularly to the business and voluntary sectors, stimulating action and commitment in these sectors. The Task Force will also receive regular reports on and advice on progress on implementation of the New Deal, flagging up emerging issues and advising on their resolution.Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Task Forces will also be established.School Standards Task ForceThis Task Force's roles are to advise the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on the development and implementation of policies to improve school standards and to keep the Secretary of State abreast of best practice nationally and internationally.NHS Efficiency Task ForceThis Task Force will examine areas of NHS expenditure with a view to redirecting resources to patient services.The announcements of any further Task Forces or groups will be made when we come to establish those groups.