HC Deb 19 April 2002 vol 383 cc1246-7W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the PSA target for efficiency and other value for money gains in Departmental operations of 2.5 per cent was met in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [47281]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: Information about progress on meeting this PSA target in was published in the Department's 2001 Departmental Report, a copy of which is in the Library. This recorded that we were on course to deliver the target.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he had made of whether the target to bring sickness absence levels down to 6.8 days per staff year by 2003 will be met. [47361]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Department's 2002 Departmental Report.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many auditors have been trained since April 2001 in pursuit of the Service Delivery Agreement target to protect consumers through improved food safety and standards. [49241]

Yvette Cooper

The targets published in the 2000 spending review delivery agreement were achieved. By April 2001, 6 auditors in England, 3 in Scotland and 2 in Northern Ireland were trained to audit local authorities. Since April 2001, 1 auditor has been trained in Wales and a further 2 auditors have been trained in England, with a further 2 to be trained during 2002–2003. More will be trained as the programme of audits requires.