HC Deb 13 January 2000 vol 342 c214W
Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to increase the productivity and reduce the running costs of his Department. [103850]

Mr. Straw

The Home Office has a Public Service Agreement commitment to deliver 3 per cent. per annum running cost productivity gains, and is currently on target to deliver this for 1999–2000.

A joint Home Office and Her Majesty's Treasury ministerial review of productivity is to be led by both the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my noble Friend, Lord Bassam of Brighton and the Financial Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury and is intended to focus on four key areas:

  1. Personnel Management;
  2. Information Technology;
  3. The Home Office Estate; and
  4. Procurement Planning.