RAF Training Group Defence Agency

HC Deb 20 March 1997 vol 292 cc859-60W

Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the change of the boundary of the RAF Training Group Defence Agency. [21675]

Mr. Soames

On 1 April 1997, the boundary of the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency will be enlarged to incorporate all of Royal Air Force personnel and training command assets and functions at Royal Air Force Cranwell, together with the non-operational training policy function previously undertaken by the command's headquarters. The changes better focus the air officer commanding-in-chief' s responsibilities for training policy, delivery of training, recruitment and selection.

The rebrigading of assets and functions under the chief executive of the Training Group Defence Agency will deliver more coherent management and improved use of resources across a wider range of activities than hitherto. The result of the changes is a single defence agency responsible for the recruitment and selection of all Royal Air Force personnel and the policy and delivery of all Royal Air Force non-operational training.

The chief executive of the agency has been set the following targets for financial year 1997–98: Key Target 1—Quality Achievement of customer satisfaction with the quality of graduate trainees as reflected in customer advisory committee reports to the air officer commanding-in-chief. Target for 1997–98–95 per cent. Key Target 2—Efficiency To deliver the savings that accrue from the efficiencies agreed in long-term costings 1997, together with full cost items. Target for 1997–98—£8.258 million. Key Target 3a—Quantity of Output (Flying Training) The percentage of trained aircrew delivered against RAF requirements. Target for 1997–98–96 per cent. Key Target 3b—Quantity of Output (Ground Training) The percentage of trained personnel delivered against RAF requirements. Target for 1997–98–97 per cent. Key Target 4—Human Resources To implement the investors in people initiative. Target for 1997–98 implement at RAF College Cranwell, No. 1 RS RAF Locking, TDSU RAF Halton. Key Target 5—Development of Output Costings and Unit Cost Measures To undertake a cost attribution exercise which will contribute to the development of full output costings and associated unit cost and efficiency measures for the agency by financial year 2000–01. Target for 1997–98—completion of cost attribution exercise.