HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 cc557-8W
Mr. Legg

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for 1996–97. [30022]

Mr. Soames

The chief executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency has been set the following key targets for 1996–97:

  1. (1) To achieve a minimum availability of 80 per cent. across the agency commodity ranges.
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  2. (2) To ensure that 80 per cent. of research and development milestones are met by the due date and within budget.
  3. (3) To ensure that 90 per cent. of procurement milestones are met for key items, and 80 per cent. of procurement milestones are met for other items, so that total planned time is achieved from initiation of requirement to delivery.
  4. (4) To ensure that expenditure is managed to within 2.5 per cent. of budget.
  5. (5) To ensure that 80 per cent. satisfaction rate is achieved on customer surveys.

These key targets take forward much of the work of the previous targets as set out in the agency's first documents, and it is hoped that the collocation of the agency will drive the rationalisation and reform activities which are essential to the DCTA business plan. Given all the other pressures on the agency, including downward financial pressure, I believe they are challenging but achievable. Copies of the agency's new framework document will be placed in the Library of the House.