HC Deb 07 March 2000 vol 345 c644W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111731]

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 6 March 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the "right" hon. and learned Member.

Letter from M. J. Roycroft to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 7 March 2000: You asked the Secretary of State for Defence to list the targets for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA) for 1998–99 which were and were not achieved, together with the factors affecting the outcome and the action taken by the Agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000. As Chief Executive of DCTA, I have been asked by the Secretary of State to furnish a reply. The 1998/99 Key Targets were announced in the House of Commons on 8 April 1998. A summary of the Agency's achievement against these appears in the DCTA Annual Report and Accounts 1998/99 that was published in July 1999. Copies are available in the House of Commons Library. All Key Targets were met, apart from Key Target 3 which was "to exceed 90% of customers' perceived satisfaction of requirements." In a Customer Survey in December 1998 by the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) on DCTA's behalf, the Agency scored 87%—missing the target by 3%. Notwithstanding that the target was missed and that we continued to try to improve, 87% is an extremely high achievement by industry standards. Further details are in Annex A. Measures taken during 1999–2000 to attempt to improve performance against Key Targets include the further development of DCTA's helpdesk, shorter pipeline times, enhanced availability, and continued improved communications with our customers, to ensure we are providing the quality and quantity of items which they require. I trust this response will answer your questions satisfactorily.