HC Deb 14 January 2003 vol 397 c550W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the funding of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Families' Association (RNRMFA); [90154]

(2) when the new agency to replace the RNRMFA will be set up; what performance indicators have been set for the new agency; who will be responsible for monitoring those indicators; and if he will make a statement; [90187]

(3) who made the decision to withdraw funding for the RNRMFA; on what basis was the decision made to withdraw the funding; and if he will make a statement; [90155]

(4) what performance indicators have been set for the RNRMFA; which of these has not been met in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [90156]

(5) if he will make a statement on the independence of the agency that will replace the RNRMFA. [90158]

Dr. Moonie

Public funding for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Families' Association commenced under the terms of an agreed Charter in 1999. No formal performance indicators were set for the Association, but the Charter laid down its objectives and other requirements. Funding was withdrawn from October 2002 because the Association had consistently failed to meet its objectives, and had also failed to meet other requirements of the Charter, including the production of annual reports and accounts and the maintenance of an appropriate management structure. The decision to withdraw funding was made by the Second Sea Lord, as the top level budget holder accountable for these funds.

The Department's aim in setting up the Association was to develop an independent organisation to represent the views of Naval Service families. This remains our firm intention and we intend that a new body, with the title, 'Naval Families' Federation', will be in place this spring. We are considering a number of options to ensure that the new Federation grows safely into a well-managed and independent body, preferably with charitable status. This will include the use of carefully selected performance indicators, and the achievements of the Federation against these indicators will be monitored by the Second Sea Lord's Personal and Family Service staff.