Defence Agencies (Employment) (Hansard, 29 March 1999)

§ Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 25 February 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Brigadier A. D. Ball to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 29 March 1999: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the employee numbers for the Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA), as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the ATSA. The ATSA had 1,085 employees on 1^st February 1999, and had 1,274 employees at its Agency launch date on 25^th October 1995. I hope that you find this information helpful.

Letter from Ian C. F. Andrews to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 29 March 1999: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the number of people currently employed by the Defence Estate Organisation, and employed at the time of the Agency's establishment, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Estate Organisation. The number of people current employed across the Defence Estate Organisation is 1,423. At the Agency's establishment, on 1 April 1997, there were approximately 1,400.

Letter from Air Vice-Marshal I. G. McIntyre to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 29 March 1999: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of people currently employed and the figure on formation of the Agency, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Dental Agency. The Defence Dental Agency currently has 1185 personnel on the payroll of whom 134 are uniformed dental staff within the command of The Health Alliance (THA) British Forces Germany. Payroll responsibility for these staff was transferred to this Agency with effect from I April 1998. Strength on formation of the Agency on 1 March 1996 was 1043. At that time dental staff within THA were not included in the strength.

Letter from C. J. Boyle to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 29 March 1999: Further to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA), these matters fall within the Chief Executive's responsibility. However, as he is currently away from office, I am replying on his behalf. When the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) formed on 1 April 1997, it employed a total of 1171 staff, comprising both Service and civilian personnel. Through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), AFPAA formed a public/private partnership with EDS to deliver most of the Agency's services on its behalf. In order to ensure the continuity of current services and to provide a significant input to the development of new systems, most of the Agency's civilian staff transferred to the private sector, when the partnership became effective on 1 January 1998. The Agency, therefore, currently employs 299 staff. I hope this explains the position.