HC Deb 24 February 1999 vol 326 cc297-9W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Defence Estate Organisation did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998–99. [72794]

Mr. Spellar

The following Key Targets set for 1997–98 were either part achieved, or were not achieved in full:

  • a. Key Target 1.
  • b. Key Target 2.
  • c. Key Target 5.
  • d. Key Target 7.
  • e. Key Target 8.

Subsequently, a set of interim targets for 198–99 was published. These targets began the process of setting output driven targets which are measurable, within the Chief Executive's control, and incentivise performance to meet the needs of the department. This set of interim targets has allowed the Chief Executive to establish a baseline against which to measure progress in 1999–2000.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Defence Postal and Courier Service Agency did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998–99. [72792]

Mr. Doug Henderson

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Brigadier B. J. Cash to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 24 February 1999: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about which targets the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring has been undertaken for those targets in 1998–99, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility at Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency. The Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency did not meet the following Key Targets in 1997–98:

  1. a. To complete the implementation of the Triennial Review by 31 March 1998.
  2. b. To rationalise the technical funding and responsibility across MOD Top Level Budgets following the Triennial Review.
Progress against these targets is reviewed monthly by myself as Chief Executive at Board level. The two Key Targets failed were set on the assumption that the Prior Options Review of DPCSA would be completed during the course of the year 1997/98. As a result of the General Election and the subsequent Strategic Defence Review, the Prior Options process was delayed and continued agency status was not confirmed until 19 January 1999. Following agreement of the new framework document and proposed re-launch of the Agency on 1 July 1999 and after reorganisation under the Chief of Defence Logistics; technical funding and responsibility across MOD Top Level Budgets for Postal and Courier Services will be rationalised.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Army Personnel Centre; and what was the figure at its inception. [71899]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The number of personnel, civilian and military, employed by the Army Personnel Centre (APC) at 31 December 1998, the most recent date for which full staffing figures are available, was 1,277. The number of personnel involved in Army personnel functions at the time of the launch of the APC as a Defence Agency on 2 December 1996 was some 1,655 civilian and military personnel.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Army Base Repair Organisation published its report for 1998–99; and what was the cost of production of the report. [71902]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The Army Base Repair Organisation report for 1998–99 will be published following the end of the financial year, probably in July 1999. The report for 1997–98 was published in September 1998. It was produced under contract by The Stationery Office; the cost of the contract is commercially confidential information, but was less than £2.50 per copy.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Army Base Repair Organisation; and what the figure was at its inception. [72807]

Mr. Doug Henderson

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from J. F. Drew to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 24 February 1999: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about how many people are currently employed by the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO); and what the figure was at its inception, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of ABRO. As at 1 January 1999, 2,625 people were employed by the Army Base Repair Organisation. 3,800 were employed by the Agency at its launch on 1 April 1993. I hope that this is helpful.