HC Deb 15 July 1998 vol 316 cc184-5W
Mr. Borrow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Vetting Agency for 1998–99. [51187]

Mr. Spellar

The Defence Vetting Agency was launched on 1 April 1997 with a staff of about 350 MOD Civil Servants, located in Central London, Portsmouth, Woolwich and Corsham, Wiltshire. Its formation brought together four existing Ministry of Defence Vetting Authorities. The Agency undertakes some 130,000 vetting checks and investigations each year. In addition, it is engaged on an ambitious programme of work to become an integrated, modern, efficient organisation, based on a single site. The Agency's first year has been characterised by planning and setting in train a series of key studies These include:

  1. a. A collocation investment appraisal;
  2. b. A business process reengineering and reorganisation study;
  3. c. An information systems strategy study; and
  4. d. A Private Finance Initiative feasibility study.

This second year will see the beginning of the implementation of these various initiatives.

The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets: Quality Key Target 1—To maintain quality standards through at least 95 per cent. compliance with agreed procedures, and to develop quality improvement targets in the light of a Defence wide customer survey. Timeliness

  • Key Target 2—To complete 85 per cent. of Security Checks within 6 weeks.
  • Key Target 3—To complete 71 per cent. of Counter Terrorist Checks within 6 weeks.
  • Key Target 4—To complete 85 per cent. of all Developed Vetting clearances within 6 months.
  • Key Target 5—To reduce the 1997–98 average times for Security Checks, Counter Terrorist Checks and Developed Vetting clearances by 5 per cent.
Efficiency Key Target 6—To reduce the FY97–98 Unit Cost of Output.

I have arranged for advance copies of the Corporate Plan to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

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