HC Deb 18 April 1996 vol 275 cc584-5W
Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the defence agency status for the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre. [25999]

Mr. Soames

I announced on 19 July 1995,Official Report, column 1345 that the joint air reconnaissance intelligence centre was a candidate for defence agency status. Since then, we have carried out a detailed business analysis of the organisation under the leadership of the chief executive designate to confirm its suitability to become an agency.

I have agreed to the launch of JARIC as a defence agency from 19 April 1996. The agency will remain fully part of the Department but the chief executive will have delegated executive powers to discharge his responsibilities. These powers are described in the framework document, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

JARIC is based at RAF Brampton, near Huntingdon. It has a total staff of 500, comprising service personnel from all three services and approximately 144 civil servants. It acts as the Department's centre of excellence for the production of imagery intelligence.

It provides this intelligence to military commanders and the Government, in support of current military operations, defence planning and wider intelligence matters.

JARIC has been set demanding targets in an era where the requirement for its expertise is continuing to increase. The targets for the 12 months from April 1996 are: Key target 1: The completion of approved tasks, within agreed time frame, as follows:

  • Priority 1: 98 per cent.
  • Priority 2: 90 per cent.
  • Priority 3: 85 per cent
  • Priority 4: 70 per cent.
Key target 2: By 1 October 1996 to determine a method of measuring Customer Satisfaction to reflect their quality requirements, and make proposals for its implementation. Key target 3: Achieve a 2.5 per cent improvement in efficiency. Key target 4: Provide specified support to a major project to upgrade JARIC's technical capabilities. Key target 5: Introduce systems to meet the HM Treasury Accounts Direction to 1996–97.

These targets will ensure that JARIC meets defence needs for timely intelligence, and will provide for continuous improvement in services and efficiency.

Back to