§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation he has made of(a) the Medical 454W Supplies Agency as a whole and (b) the specific operational capabilities of medical distribution centres. [145349]
§ Mr. CaplinThe Medical Supplies Agency (MSA) is subject to several formal mechanisms of ministerial and other evaluation. The Agency Annual Report and Financial Accounts is presented to the House of Commons pursuant to Section 7 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000. The latest Report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July 2003 and a copy was placed in the Library of the House on 17 November 2003. In addition to the financial statements, with a certificate by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Report covers a review of activity, an assessment of performance against agreed key targets and a statement on future strategy. The financial statement is also subject to interim audit by the National Audit Office.
The principal means by which Ministers can evaluate the MSA, and its Medical Distribution Centres, is through the Key Target process. This involves the agreement with Ministers of wide-ranging performance targets for the MSA. Achievement against these targets is then closely monitored and reported to Ministers, through the Director General Management and Organisation, and shown in the Agency Annual Report and Financial Accounts.