HC Deb 25 March 1999 vol 328 c335W
Ms Buck

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned basis of the Defence Bills Agency's future operations; and what key targets have been set for 1999–2000. [79037]

Mr. Spellar

On 14 December 1998,Official Report, columns 330–31, I announced the decision to extend Agency status for the Defence Bills Agency for a further five years from 1 April 1999. Following this decision, a new Framework Document has been agreed for the Agency and I am today placing a copy of this in the Library of the House. In parallel, a new Service Level Agreement has been agreed between the Ministry of Defence and the Agency which sets out demanding objectives for the period up to 31 March 2004. The key targets derived from the Service Level Agreement for the year 1999–2000 are as set out:

  1. 1. To reduce transaction costs by 8 per cent. for bills and 5 per cent. for invoices by 31 March 2000.
  2. 2. To produce accounting and financial management information to time and quality set out in ISO 9001/3.
  3. 3. To pay 100 per cent. of correctly-presented bills within 11 calendar days of receipt as part of the Department's 30 day payment target.
  4. 4. To raise accurately 95 per cent. of invoices within 4 days of receipt of a correctly-authorised claimable document.
  5. 5. Within the permitted tolerances, to meet the performance targets prescribed in the Service Level Agreement.
  6. 6. To produce within 3 months a feasibility report on partnership options and, if possible to make arrangements to proceed with partnership within one year.

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