HC Deb 07 March 2000 vol 345 cc636-7W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Specialist Procurement Services for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111736]

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 6 March 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the "right" hon. and learned Member.

Letter from J. W. Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 7 March 2000: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the targets of the Specialist Procurement Services (SPS) for 1998–99. You asked (a) which targets (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. (a) (i) The SPS targets for 1998–99, that were met or exceeded are as follows: (a) (ii) There were no SPS Targets that were not met in the year 1998–99. As to part (b) of the question, SPS ceased to be an agency in its own "right" on the 31 March 1999 and was absorbed into the new Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) that was formed on 1 April 1999. It has nevertheless been working to targets which require continuous improvement and which it is on course to meet.