Gershon Review

Dr. Cable
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by her Department in order to achieve Gershon efficiency savings; whether these costs have been included in reports of headline efficiency savings; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Hoon
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spent £43 million on restructuring costs to enable two major efficiency projects. The remaining efficiency projects are being delivered largely using existing resources.

Sir Peter Gershon’s independent report into public sector efficiency recommended that efficiencies be recorded gross of up-front investment costs and the FCO has followed this advice.

Dr. Cable
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much efficiency savings have been made in her Department as a result of the Gershon Review; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Hoon
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Gershon efficiency gains to date will be available in the forthcoming autumn performance report due to be published in December 2006.