PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
Contact:
Defence Procurement Agency
Ms Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency for the financial year 2002-03. [53049]
Dr. Moonie: Five key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency for the financial year 2002-03.
The first three key targets apply to projects covered by the Major Projects Report which have passed their Main Gate approval. Key targets 2 and 3 are consistent with goals set in the Department’s public service agreement (PSA), adapted to cover cumulative performance. The fourth key target relates to improvements in DPA customer satisfaction and the fifth to the costs of running the agency. The key targets are:
Key Target 1: Key requirements compliance
Predicted achievement of customers’ core requirements for projects 1 : 97 per cent.
Key Target 2: Average cumulative in-service slippage
Average cumulative slippage of in-service dates 2 at 31 March 2003 not to exceed 12.1 months.
Key Target 3: Average cumulative cost growth
Average cumulative cost variation 3 at 31 March 2003 not to exceed 2.2 per cent.
Key Target 4: Customer survey satisfaction rating
Customer satisfaction rating 70 per cent. 4
Key Target 5: Agency running costs
No excess against DPA resource control totals.
1 Up to 10 core requirements per project are agreed between the DPA and Ministry of Defence headquarters, defining the essential characteristics of the equipment.
2 Variation between in-service date (ISD) approved at “Main Gate” (the major investment decision point) and currently predicted ISD. Cumulative target of 12.1 months includes 11.7 months average slippage already incurred on the relevant project population. The in-year target is for no more than 0.4 months average new slippage.
3 Variation between cost approved at Main Gate and current estimate. The average cost growth already incurred on the relevant project population amounts to 2.2 per cent.: the in-year target is, therefore, for 0 per cent. average cost growth.
25 Apr 2002:
4 Aim is to secure 80 per cent. satisfaction rating by 2005-06 which would place the DPA among best performers for analogous organisations; 70 per cent. would be an incremental improvement on last year’s rating of 67 per cent.
Czech Republic
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Prime Minister whether his discussions with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic included discussions of (a) the sale of Gripen jets to the Czech Air Force and (b) the offset arrangements that formed part of the bid of Gripen International. [51487]
The Prime Minister: Yes, as my official spokesman has already made clear, I did make representations regarding the Czech decision to buy supersonic aircraft. As with previous Administrations, backing British business abroad is an important part of my job.
As had also been made clear, I visited Prague primarily to discuss issues such as EU enlargement and to continue our efforts to develop good relations with an important NATO ally.
Notices given on Friday 10th May
Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of upgrading the Harrier GR7 to include an advanced air defence radar capable of using AMRAAM; what the cost is estimated to be; and if he will make a statement.
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many export licences have been granted to P.W. Pains Wessex Defence in the past two years; and for what products they were issued.
Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what occasions P.W. Pains Wessex have attended MOD-organised sales and marketing events in the past two years; and what was the nature of their attendance.