§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current capacity of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency to deliver the correct types of uniforms in the correct quantities for recruits to the armed forces. [43729]
§ Dr. ReidThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Andrew Robathan, dated 1 June 1998:
I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the current capacity of the Defence Clothing & Textiles Agency to provide uniforms for recruits to the armed forces, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing & Textiles Agency.Recruits are issued with items from our uniform and operational clothing ranges for which the current availability is 77.53% and 87.52% respectively against a funded target of 80%. The figures represent the proportion of demands which are met on first presentation and do not include other methods of supply such as local purchase. The actual availability is therefore higher. When items are in short supply or a future problem is forecast, efforts are made to ensure that our stocks are husbanded and that the requirements of the recruit establishments are met as a priority second only to support for operations.I hope this answer is helpful and am willing to provide more precise information if you have specific concerns in regard to individual items.