To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to ask the (a) Hydrographic Office and (b) Meteorological Office to implement the recommendations in the Office of Fair Trading’s recent market study of public sector information; and if he will make a statement. (110283)

[holding answer 18 December 2006]: The Government have until March to consider its response to the Office of Fair Trading’s Market Study of public sector information. The DTI is responsible for co-ordinating the preparation of the agreed Government response, and MoD officials will liaise with the DTI during the consultation process. Following that response both the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and the Met Office will of course fully implement any newly agreed policy, as appropriate.