HL Deb 07 June 2004 vol 662 cc14-5WA
Baroness Noakes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the latest estimate of savings that could be achieved by government departments as shown by Sir Peter Gershon's efficiency review. [HL2916]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)

I refer the noble Baroness to the announcement the Chancellor made in his Budget statment that:

"… Departments are to achieve—in the Spending Review period—annual efficiency savings of 2.5 per cent a year, boosting effective front line service delivery by £20 billion a year by 2008."

Baroness Noakes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What role, if any, Sir Peter Gershon plays in relation to the efficiency review now that he is no longer the chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce. [HL2917]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Sir Peter Gershon remains head of the efficiency review. The Budget announced that John Oughton, the new chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce, will be responsible for overall implementation of agreed efficiency programmes.