§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of the services of his Department have not been reviewed under the Better Quality Services Initiative; and when they will be reviewed. 1503091
§ Mr. WillsThe Better Quality Services programme was launched in 1998 and adopted by the Cabinet Office in the Modernising Government White Paper of 1999 as692W a means of delivering continuous improvements in the quality and effectiveness of Government activities and services. It requires all Departments to review every activity and service over a five-year period starting in October 1999. The scheme covers all activities in Departments, Agencies and Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies.
The Lord Chancellor's Department's wide ranging programme of policy, service and organisational reviews forms the basis of its BQS programme and provides comprehensive coverage of functions. The review of activities and services started in 1999. A major part of this programme is the Quinquennial Review of the Court Service. The Review has just been completed and will be published shortly.
There are a number of office service and supply activities that are due to be reviewed within the next couple of years before the current contracts expire. This will complete the Department's current BQS programme.