§ Mr. Patrick ThompsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made with the establishment of the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency as a next steps executive agency. [24355]
§ Mr. FreemanI am pleased to announce that I have today established the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency as a next steps executive agency. The arrangements for CCTA are fully described in its framework document, copies of which will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The purpose of CCTA is to improve the delivery of public services by developing, maintaining and making available, expertise about information technology which public sector organisations will draw on in order to operate more effectively and efficiently.
I have set CCTA the following targets for 1996–97:
to break even on a accruals basis after taking into account payments from the Office of Public Service in relation to transitional costs and the provision of "common good" services, and to operate within PES and supply estimates provision;20Wto secure and provide procurement services and best practice consultancy to the value of at least £6.2 million on a full cost recovery basis;to secure and provide telecommunications services to the value of £11.6 million;to establish, validate and to have approved ready for implementation for 1997–98 quantified performance measures for the financial, quality of service, customer satisfaction and efficiency aspects of the agency's performance.