National Weights and Measures Laboratory

HC Deb 18 July 2001 vol 372 c270W

Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has set her Department's National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 2001–02. [5738]

Ms Hewitt

I have set the National Weights and Measures Laboratory the following quality of service and efficiency targets for 2001–02.

Financial Targets To report a break-even situation in the Income and Expenditure Account 2001–02. To meet the net vote target in 2001–02. To contribute to continuous efficiency improvement by ensuring that total overhead costs are less than 55 per cent. of total costs. To achieve continuous growth in its non-DTI income, with an increase of 7.5 per cent. in 2001–02.

Operational Targets To meet the expectations of its customers by completing at least 90 per cent. of European type approvals within 10 weeks. To complete European type approvals within an average of six weeks. To complete calibration jobs within the time requested by customers, with at least 95 per cent. of all jobs (including preparation of certificates) completed within 18 working days of acceptance of the work and an average completion time of less than 14 days. To complete the National Measurement System (NMS) legal metrology programme, and achieve 72 per cent. of the milestones in the programme by their due dates. To satisfy its customers as demonstrated by at least 95 per cent. of them rating NWML's provision of services as satisfactory or better.

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.