§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those targets of the Army Personnel Centre 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. [111746]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Personnel Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Letter from G. A. M. Hammond to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 6 March 2000:
I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Army Personnel Centre (APC), in his absence on business, to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the performance targets for the APC for the year 1998/99, as this matter falls within the responsibility of this agency.I should explain that a copy of the APC Annual Report and Accounts 1998/99, published in July 1999, was placed in the library of the House of Commons. Annex A to the report provides details of APC performance against Key Ministerial Targets. The APC met its Key Targets for 1998/99 with the exception of Key Target 3 (KT3) - Notice of Posting, which is expressed as the percentage of personnel posted by the APC who were given at least six months' notice of their individual move. The achievement against this target averaged 25% suggesting that the target was unrealistic in the changed conditions since the target was set. With the continuing level of operational commitments and Strategic Defence Review (SDR) implementation which started in early 1999, this target has been reviewed in the light of this experience, and subject to Ministerial approval, may be adjusted in the APC Business Plan for 2000–01.I hope that this helps to explain the position.