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Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for 1997-98. [12325]

Dr. Reid: The chief executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency has been set the following key targets for 1997-98:

1. To achieve 80 per cent. demand satisfaction on presentation.

2. To obtain the works brief so that laboratories and workshops can be collocated by September 1999.

3. To complete a review of the scope for further private sector involvement.

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These key targets take forward the work of the previous year's targets in the context of the agency's continuing collocation and restructuring plans. Collocation of the agency will ensure the agency remains in a position to benefit from opportunities for further rationalisation and provide the scope to reform activities which are essential to the achievement of the agency's corporate and business plans. Given all the other pressures on the agency, particularly downward financial pressure, I believe they are challenging but achievable. I have previously arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of both Houses and the annual report and accounts for 1996-97 have also been so placed.

Defence Animal Centre

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Animal Centre for 1997-98. [12318]

Dr. Reid: The chief executive has been set the following key targets for 1997-1998:

1. Meet 100 per cent. of the requirements for trained military personnel and trained military working animals for operations;

2. Meet 95 per cent. of customer satisfaction for trained output quality;

3. Meet 95 per cent. of customer satisfaction in terms of trained output;

4. Meet 95 per cent. of customer satisfaction in timeliness of delivery;

5. To reduce net full costs as shown in the accruals accounts by 2.5 per cent.;

6. Meet course specific success rates for military working animals greater than or equal to 95 per cent.;

7. Meet training success rate for personnel greater than or equal to 90 per cent.;

8. To complete the planned stages of the investors in people action plan;

9. To explore all private finance initiative options for rebuilding administrative and single person accommodation.

RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency

Mrs. Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency for 1997-98. [12324]

Mr. Spellar: The RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency's key targets for 1997-98 are:

To achieve at least 98 per cent. of the aerosystems maintenance task to standard and on time.

To keep within the agency's allocated budget.

To achieve the efficiency targets specified in the logistics command management plan.

To complete the comprehensive rationalisation of functions within the agency by:

relocating the ground ratio servicing centre from RAF North Luffenham to RAF Sealand by 31 December 1997.

withdrawal from RAF North Luffenham by 31 March 1998.

To achieve the civilianisation programme at the RAF MGDA units.

To implement the delegation of specified civilian personnel management functions to RAF St. Athan, RAF Sealand and RAF Stafford by 31 March 1998.

To continue the certification of Units with the agency to the ISO9000 standard by:

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achieving second or third party ISO9002 re-certification of the Royal Air Force armament support unit (RAFASUPU) by 1 November 1997.

achieving third party ISO9001 certification for RAF Stafford by 27 July 1997.

To develop and implement continual customer satisfaction measurement by 31 March 1998.

Defence Analytical Services Agency

Mr. Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the review of the Defence Analytical Services Agency has commenced. [12458]

Dr. Reid: A periodic review of the Defence Analytical Services Agency is under way. As a defence agency, the performance of DASA since its launch will be evaluated and a review of the options for the best management of its functions will be undertaken.

Comments and contributions from those with an interest in DASA and its work will be welcomed and should be sent by 30 September 1997 to:

DASA Review Team

Project Manager

Room 119

Northumberland House

London

WC2N 5BP

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone].

Defence Bills Agency

Ms Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Bills Agency for 1997-98. [12459]

Mr. Spellar: Targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Bills Agency for financial year 1997-98 in accordance with the agency's overall aim of meeting the requirements of its service level agreement with the Ministry of Defence fully, efficiently and in a manner which offers best value for money. The chief executive's key targets build on the already high standards of service provided by the agency since its formation in January 1996 and are as follows:

1. To pay 97 per cent. of correctly-presented bills within 11 working days of receipt and 100 per cent. within 30 days.

2. To raise 100 per cent. of invoices within five working days of receipt of correctly-presented instruction.

3. To obtain investors in people accreditation by 30 September 1997.

4. To meet the performance criteria laid down in the service level agreement

5. To deliver the service contracted for in the service level agreement at the agreed price.

Wessex Helicopter Replacement

Mr. Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the replacement of the service currently provided by the Wessex helicopters of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron. [12473]

Mr. Spellar: The two Wessex aircraft used by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are nearly 30 years old and are becoming increasingly costly to maintain and operate. At

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the request of the royal household, we will therefore shortly issue invitations to tender to UK helicopter operators to provide a service based on a single helicopter. The cost of the new service will be met by the royal household from the royal travel grant in aid and should provide significant savings.

Future Large Aircraft

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the future large aircraft programme. [9979]

Mr. George Robertson: The importance of an air transport capability in the new strategic environment has been demonstrated in numerous recent operations such as the Gulf conflict and Bosnia.

My Department has been closely involved in discussions with European partners on the future large aircraft programme, which is a potential solution to our future air transport requirements. I have now decided that the UK should join partners in issuing a request for proposals to Airbus Military Company for the future large aircraft, and formally endorse the European staff requirement and statement of principles governing the commercial management of the programme.

The programme offers an important opportunity for European industry. The Government believe, however, that there is a need to maintain competitive pressure to ensure best value for money. We shall, therefore, be encouraging our partners to join us in seeking bids from other aircraft manufacturers.

We expect the replacement aircraft to come into service early next century. Precise costs for each aircraft will be provided in response to our request for proposals.

Gordon Foxley

Mr. Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about negotiations with the companies involved in the payment of commissions to Gordon Foxley relating to defence companies. [7090]

Mr. Spellar [pursuant to his answer, 3 July 1997, c. 257]: and following the announcement made by the then Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 13 June 1996, Official Report, column 248, concerning settlement with Raufoss AS: A satisfactory settlement has now been concluded with the second of the three companies concerned, Junghans GmbH of Germany, under which the company will pay an agreed sum in redress to my Department, including interest and a contribution to costs for payments made contrary to contractual conditions. A statement of contribution by the company, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, forms part of the agreement with the Ministry of Defence. We have decided that in the light of this agreement the company will become eligible to be considered for Ministry of Defence orders, although normal commercial relations will not be resumed for some months. Discussions are continuing with the successor companies to Fratelli Borletti SpA, the third company involved in the Foxley case, against whom proceedings are still in train.

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