Weights and Measures Laboratory

HC Deb 29 April 1999 vol 330 cc226-7W

Judy Mallaber

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set his Department's National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1999–2000. [82999]

Dr. Howells

I have set the National Weights and Measures Laboratory the following quality of service and efficiency targets for 1999–2000.

Financial Targets To report a break even situation in the Income and Expenditure Account 1999–2000. To meet the net vote target in 1999–2000.

Operational Targets To complete 90 per cent. of European type approvals within 10 weeks. To complete all European type approvals within an average of eight weeks. To complete 95 per cent. of all calibration jobs (including preparation of certificates) within 18 working days of acceptance of the work. To meet 70 per cent. of the milestones included in the work programme agreed between NMPSU and NWML.

Questions delegated to the Chief Executive Chief Executive to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

Financial target. Restated from previous year. To reduce the real cost of a programme hour by 4 per cent. over the period 1997–2000.