HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc675-6W
Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formation of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency; and what key targets have been set for 1999–2000. [79893]

Mr. Spellar

On 1 April 1999 the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) will be established as a Defence Agency. The DARA will be responsible for the provision of deep aviation repair and overhaul facilities to meet the UK's Defence needs. It will enable the MOD's requirements for third line aircraft servicing to be focused on one primary provider. The DARA's Chief Executive will be Mr. Steve Hill and its Head Office will be at RAF St. Athan, Vale of Glamorgan. The Agency will employ 1,726 military and 5,099 civilian staff at four locations in the UK—Almondbank, Fleetlands, RAF Sealand and RAF St. Athan.

The creation of the Agency will improve Defence aviation repair delivery by focusing on customer requirements. It will also offer scope for exploiting the synergy between helicopter and fixed wing repair facilities and provide a clear line of accountability for service delivery. The DARA's corporate aim will be To meet the needs of the UK's armed forces for responsive and cost effective in-house deep aviation repair".

The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for the first year of operation:

Quantity

To achieve 95 per cent. of the agreed programme of aircraft repair work.

Cost

To keep within the approved operating cost budget while delivering the agreed programme of work.

Timeliness

To meet 95 per cent. of the agreed turn round times for aircraft, helicopter engines and transmission systems.

Quality Standard

To achieve a high quality index rating to be specified in the DARA Business Plan based on the following quality elements:

  • Acknowledgement of a customer concern.
  • Investigation and response to customer concerns.
  • Attributable quality failings.
  • Attributable incident reports.

Efficiency

  1. (i) To increase overall efficiency by 5 per cent.
  2. (ii) To achieve an increase in sales of repayment work (i.e. non-MOD) of at least 25 per cent. in FY 99–00 from a baseline of £9 million.