§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reduce the central administration costs of his Department. [73270]
§ Mr. Fatchett[holding answer 25 February 1999]The Department's efficiency programme is set out in the White Paper "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" (Cm 4181, page 77). It includes consolidation of business units that supply services within the FCO into a Service Organisation which will lead to a smaller central administration. Together with on-going efficiency reviews and further devolution of budgets for support services to operational consumers, these changes are expected to yield efficiency gains of some £7 million by 2001–02.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total expenditure of his Department on(a) property and land purchases and (b) vehicle purchases, from 1 April 1997 to the latest date for which information is available; and what expenditure on property purchases is planned for the next two years. [72813]
§ Mr. Fatchett[holding answer 25 February 1999]Since 1 April 1997 the total expenditure by the FCO on(a) property and land purchases was £9.41m and on (b) vehicles £7.42m. We are planning to buy property in the next two years but, if we were to announce the details in advance, it could prejudice our ability to secure better value for money. Decisions to purchase will be taken in the light of value for money considerations including local 490W market conditions, prevailing exchange rates and if, it is a replacement property, the ability to sell the existing building.