HC Deb 20 November 1997 vol 301 cc263-4W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what measures he has taken since 2 May to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy; and if he will make a statement; [16106]

(2) what is his estimate of the amount of money saved by his actions against waste in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [16100]

Mr. Ron Davies

I have set in train a number of measures that will reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and lead to better services for patients, business and the general public. These includeNHS: Management cost savings of £6 million this year; a White Paper to come on abolishing the internal market; a review of Trust configuration. Quangos: The creation of a single Economic Powerhouse for Wales and the absorption of Tai Cymru and 2 Special Health Authorities into the Assembly. Education: Abolition of the nursery voucher scheme. Local Government: Consultation on proposals to give local authorities more flexibility when conducting tendering exercises. TECs: Planned reduction in the number of Training and Enterprise Councils from 6 to 4.

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