HC Deb 26 March 2002 vol 382 c800W
Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has set the Department's executive agency, Companies House for 2002–03. [47422]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I have set Companies House the following targets for the 2002–03 year.

Operational Targets To process 99 per cent. of statutory documents within five days of receipt at Companies House; to achieve, on average, a monthly compliance rate for accounts submitted of 95 per cent.; to ensure that 96 per cent. of all forms submitted to Companies House are captured error-free; and to ensure that 98 per cent. of all images placed on the Companies House image system are error-free.

Questions delegated to the Chief Executive The Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to her for reply.

Customer Service and Complaints Handling To ensure that products and services on Companies House Direct are available for 98 per cent. of the time between the supported hours of 7 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday; to ensure that products and services on the Companies House website are available for 98 per cent. of the time between the supported hours of 7 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday; to achieve a score of more than 80 per cent. in each quarterly Companies House Customer Satisfaction Survey; to clear up 90 per cent. of complaints within five days.

Financial Targets To maintain a unit cost reduction of 3 per cent. in real terms on document registration; to achieve, taking one year with another, a 6 per cent. average rate of return based on the operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets; to pay all bills due within 30 days, or on other agreed credit terms, on receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is later.