HC Deb 09 May 2001 vol 368 c193W
Miss Geraldine Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Meteorological Office for 2001–02. [160865]

Dr. Moonie

The Chief Executive of the Met Office is responsible for providing meteorological and related environmental services, including climate change prediction, to a wide range of customers, including the armed forces, Government, civil aviation, shipping, emergency services, media, commerce, industry and the general public. It also undertakes research related to meteorology and climate. This year, the Met Office will be set the following challenging targets:

Key Target 1: To increase the value of the Numerical Weather Prediction Index by at least 2.0 points from the level achieved on 31 March 2001, by 31 March 2002;

Key Target 2: To achieve a value for the Service Quality Index of at least 107.8 on 31 March 2002, from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 1997, in line with customer requirements;

Key Target 3: To achieve a value for the Efficiency Index of at least 111.6 by 31 March 2003, from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 2000, and to achieve an increase of at least 1.4 Index points during 2001–02;

Key Target 4: To achieve a positive return on capital employed in 2001–02, while returning an operating profit of at least £14.4 million before strategic investments;

Key Target 5: To achieve strategic investments in 2001–02 of £15.9 million [...]±£1.5 million;

Key Target 6: To achieve a total contribution from commercial activities in 2001–02 of at least £4.4 million;

Key Target 7: To achieve a value for the Staff Skills Index of at least 107.5 by 31 March 2004, from a baseline of 100.0 as at 31 March 2001.