§ 30. Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to improve support to the front line in respect of logistics. [96152]
§ Mr. SpellarFollowing the Strategic Defence Review, we have established the post of Chief of Logistics, to command a unified Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), to replace the Single Service logistics commands. The DLO will be fully operational by April 2000, and has already begun to rationalise logistics and spread best practice across the Services. The DLO is involved in implementing the Smart Procurement Initiative, which aims to make the initial procurement of equipment and subsequent provision of spares, repairs and overhaul more efficient and responsive to the needs of the Services.
As part of the reorganisation of the management of logistics in my Department, we are creating two new Joint Force Logistic Component headquarters. The first is due to become operational in 2001 and the second in 2003. In addition, a number of new support units have been created to strengthen lines of communication, including two combat service support squadrons, a local resource section, a petroleum troop and a rations troop. In addition, our plans following SDR to create a fifth engineer logistic squadron have been brought forward from 2002 to late 2000.