§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Army Base Storage and Distribution 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. [111728]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 6 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Letter from Brigadier P. D. Foxton to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 8 March 2000:
I refer to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning performance against targets set for the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA) in 1998/99 and what action has been taken to improve performance in 1999–2000. As Chief Executive of the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA), the successor organisation to ABSDA, I am replying as this subject falls within my area of responsibility.As reported in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, which were placed in the House of Commons Library on 26 January 2000, ABSDA performance against its Key Targets for 1998/99 was:a. Key Target 1:
To exceed 95% satisfaction for the processing of Consumers' authorised demands. This target was achieved.b. Key Target 2:
To meet the agreed Customers' requirements for the provision of ammunition Units of Space (UOS) and ammunition processing facilities. This target was achieved.c. Key Target 3:
To exceed Consumers' perceived satisfaction of the Agency. This target was achieved.d. Key Target 4:
To exceed 90% of Consumers' authorised demands within Supply Chain Processing Time (SCPT) Depot Processing Times (DPT). This target was achieved.e. Key Target 5:
To exceed a one day improvement in receipts processing cycle times. This target was achieved.f. Key Target 6:
To establish the unit cost per output baseline to enable subsequent measurement of efficiency improvements. This target was achieved in relation to the available resources. Work on deriving costs of output should be able to follow on from the results of the Activity Based Costing trial at ABSDA sites.A series of strategies were introduced to improve performance in 1999/2000. They are Total Quality Management, Business Excellence, Activity Based Management, and Investors in People, together with improved information systems. I am confident that these measures will build on the excellent foundations laid by DSDA's predecessor organisations in delivering improvements in both quality of service and efficiency. An early indication of their success is the selection of DSDA as a finalist in the TNT Modernising Government Partnership Awards.715WABSDA ceased to exist on 31 March 1999. The Agency's ammunition functions were transferred to Defence Munitions and its non-explosives tasks were merged with a range of storage and distribution functions from the other Services and the MOD from DSDA.