You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Commons Debates by date > Commons Debates - previous sessions > Bound Volume Hansard - Written Answers
Previous Section Index Home Page

Ships Support Agency

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the Ships Support Agency 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. [111737]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

Letter from John Coles to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 6 March 2000:



    The information that you seek, including a list of the initiatives we are pursuing to improve our performance, is contained in my Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998/99, in particular in the Section entitled Review of Performance. A copy of the report is held in the Library of the House.


    In addition to the initiatives referred to in the Agency's report, the introduction of Smart Procurement and the establishment within the Agency of a number of Integrated Project Teams will help to streamline the acquisition and support process from cradle to grave. These too are expected to contribute to improvements in performance, if not in 1999-00, then in the following and subsequent financial years.

Queen Victoria School

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the Queen Victoria School 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. [111758]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Queen Victoria School. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

Letter from Brian Raine to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 6 March 2000:



    It is pleasing to report that Queen Victoria School achieved all its Key Targets for 1998-99 and the results of that financial year's performance were included in the Annual Report and Accounts which were laid before Parliament on 26th July 1999. For your ease of reference, I am providing extract details of the Key Targets at Annex A.


6 Mar 2000 : Column: 491W


    Key Targets Achieved for 1998/99


    Target 1


    Achieve a staying on rate at School for S4 to S5 of at least 68% based on a 3-year trend.


    This target was achieved in that 69% stayed on from S4 to S5.


    Target 2


    Exceeded by 2% the average percentage pass rate for all Scottish presentations obtaining 5 or more Credit awards at Standard Grade.


    This target was achieved in that 34% attained at least 5 Credit awards at Standard Grade. The National average was 30 %.


    Target 3


    Achieve a percentage of the presentations at Higher Grade achieving A to C grade greater than or equal to the Scottish average based on a 3-year trend.


    Based on the last 3 years the School average was 69% which is the same as the National average: thus the target was achieved.


    Target 4


    To achieve a pupil per capita cost of no more than £17,246 (at 1997/98 prices) by March 1999. 1997/98 target was £17,420.


    This target was achieved. The pupil per capita cost was £14,458.


    Target 5


    To generate commercial income to the School of at least £20,000.


    This target was achieved. Commercial income of £22,984 was generated.

Army Base Repair Organisation

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the Army Base Repair Organisation 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. [111766]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Army Base Repair Organisation. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

Letter from J. R. Drew to Mr. Menzie Campbell, dated 6 March 2000:



    The performance of the Agency against its Key Targets is published each in the ABRO Report and Accounts; a document that receives wide distribution to those within ABRO's sector of the defence community. In 1998/99 ABRO was set the five key targets listed at the Annex to this letter and achieved the required level of performance against all but one of them.


6 Mar 2000 : Column: 492W


    ABRO Performance against its key targets for 1998/99:


    Key target 1--Throughput Target


    To deliver a responsive service which matches the needs of the customer in peace and for operations to the agreed timeliness, quantity and quality criteria, to the maximum extent possible with available resources.


    Result--achieved


    Key target 2--Financial Performance Target


    To remain within ABRO's allocated budget


    Result--not achieved


    The allocated cash budget for the Agency was £141.6M, while spend amounted to £144.8M, which was 2.3% over allocation. This exceeds the +/-1.5% tolerance set as the performance indicator for this target. However ABRO deliberately brought forward planned capital expenditure from 1999/00 to 1998/99 and this action contributed to higher budgetary level requirements. Consequently, it had an unfortunately effect upon the ABRO key target.


    Key target 3--Efficiency Target


    To reduce the ratio of labour costs to hours of production by 2% from those of the averaged last three years.


    Result--achieved


    Key target 4--Quality Target


    To deliver objective measures of customer satisfaction


    Result--achieved


    Key target 5--Milestone Target


    To deliver an Implementation plan embracing the endorsed recommendations from the Agency and ES Next Steps Reviews.


    Result--achieved.

RAF Logistic Support Services

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the RAF Logistic Support Services 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. [111757]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Logistics Support Services Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

Letter from K. A. Bradshaw to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 6 March 2000:



6 Mar 2000 : Column: 493W


    a. LSSA targets


    (1) Achieved:

Percentage
1998-99
SerialKey target from LSSA corporate planTargetOutturn
1.To produce deliverables by the target date agreed with the sponsor8589
2.To deliver outputs at the cost agreed with the sponsor8081
3.To produce deliverables to the sponsor's complete satisfaction9097




    It was not possible to ascertain the reduction in the cost of a productive hour in 1998-99 because there was no agency-wide system available to record man-hours. Although the LSSA Task and Resource Accounting Management (TRAMS) System was introduced to perform this function, its roll out was delayed by technical problems.
    b. Action taken:
    The targets for 1999-2000 in the Corporate Plan, which has been placed in the library of the House, remained the same as those for 1989-1999. This was recognition of the immaturity of our target setting. However, the 2000-2001 targets had been made more challenging as follows: serial 1--90%, serial 2--85%, serial 3--92%. The target for serial 4 remained unaltered at 3%. However, TRAMS is now is use in the majority of LSS business areas and the data recorded during 1999-2000 will establish a productive hour baseline for future years.

Next Section Index Home Page