§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the target is for efficiency savings in 2003–04 expressed(a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of the Departments expenditure limit. [114109]
§ Hilary BennDFID now promotes efficiency through annually reviewed Service Level Agreements for the main administrative overhead functions and by periodic reviews for other areas, rather than through a single efficiency target. The ratio of administrative overheads to the total programme is expected be 1.36 per cent in 2003–04 compared to 1.42 per cent. in 2002–03. Had the ratio remained constant, it would have implied administrative overheads some £2 million higher in 2003–04 than is now planned; this is 1 per cent. of the departmental expenditure limit for Administration costs.