HC Deb 19 May 1998 vol 312 cc335-6W
Mr. Browne

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the targets for the Scottish Record Office in 1998–99. [43047]

Mr. McLeish

I have set the Scottish Record Office the following key targets for 1998–99: to reduce the unit cost of preserving and making available the Records of Scotland by 2.5 per cent. in real terms; to increase the number of catalogue entries available for public scrutiny on the electronic system by 52,000; to produce material for readers in 92.5 per cent. of cases in 30 minutes or less for material from the same building and in 2 days or less for material from elsewhere; to issue replies to 85 per cent. of correspondence within 10 days, absorbing up to a 2 per cent. increase in demand; and to implement the agreed recommendations flowing from the prior options reviews of the Scottish Record Office and the Scottish Records Advisory Council, including the production of a revised corporate plan.