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Ministry of Defence;RAF Signals Engineering Establishment

Answer

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment 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. [111752] Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member. Letter from C. M. Davison to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 6 March 2000: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you ask for details of those targets for the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment for 1998-99 which were, and were not, achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case, and detailing the action taken by the Agency to improve target achievement in 1999-2000. These matters fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency. The Agency Key Targets and achievement against each one were published in the Annual Report and Accounts for 1998-99 (Publication HC 677 Page 12 refers). Eight of the nine Targets were achieved. The Target not achieved--the attainment of Investors in People accreditation by 31 December 1998--was revised during the year following a mock assessment in September 1998 which highlighted the need for further work on the evaluation of training and development taking place within the organisation. The formal assessment was carried out in March 1999, and the Agency was awarded its accreditation in July 1999, well ahead of the overall MoD deadline. In the light of revised guidance from the MoD Framework Team, only 4 Key Targets were published for the Agency in 1999-2000, and the evidence to date indicates that each Target will be achieved. Achievement against key ministerial targets _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Targets, outturns and achievements Targets for 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 Efficiency To reduce the cost per task Target Baseline set at Less than 95% Less than 93% Less than 85%{2} manhour, at full cost, £62.50 compared with the FY 1996-97 figure Outturn --{1} 90.6% 83.65% -- Reduce the core as far as Target Review and reduce Review and reduce Review and reduce {3}-- possible and continue to to minimum to minimum to minimum refine it against the operational need Outturn Achieved Achieved Achieved -- Throughput Maintain core skills needed Target Maintain skills Maintain skills Maintain skills {3}-- to support likely operations Outturn Achieved Achieved Achieved -- Deliver operational tasks Target 100% 100% 100% 100% on time Outturn 100% 100% 100% -- Deliver non-operational Target More than 80% More than 85% More than 90% More than 92% tasks on time Outturn 87.3% 87.75% 93.5% -- Quality To reduce the number of Target Less than 5% Less than 5% Less than 4% Less than 1.5% quality failures in completed tasks Outturn 1% 3% 1.4% -- Financial Performance Develop an improved costing Target No Target No Target Develop costing {3}-- system which will interface system effectively with the MOD's overall approach to Resource Accounting and Budgeting Outturn {4}-- {4}-- Achieved {3}-- Miscellaneous Complete an Action Plan to Target No Target No Target Complete Plan {5}-- resolve the Year 2000 IT problem by 30 September 1998 Outturn {4}-- {4}-- Achieved -- Achieve Investors in People Target No Target No Target Achieve by 31 {5}-- Accreditation by 31 December 1998 December 1998 Outturn {4}-- {4}-- Not achieved{6} -- _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Previous figures based on cash cost {2} In real terms {3} Not a Key Target for this year following revised guidance {4} Not applicable {5} Not a Key Target for this year {6} The target was revised during the year following a mock assessment. The assessment took place in March 1999. We have been informed that a positive recommendation will be made to the assessment panel on 23 July 1999.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

345 c690-2W;345 c690-1W; 111752

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Standards RAF Signals Engineering Establishment

Contains statistics

Yes