To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what visits he has paid to next steps agencies to assess the morale of staff.

I have made several visits to next steps agencies, and have met many staff working there. From what I hear from chief executives, staff morale is generally very high.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the policy of high-quality service to the public enhances job satisfaction for those working in executive agencies, and that the development of those agencies will play an important part in delivering the objectives of the citizens charter?

Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right.The purpose of next steps is to encourage executive agencies to provide a better service to the customer through good management and better staff training. In many ways, that serves as a prologue or curtain raiser to the citizens charter.