To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the decision was made to complete and publish his Department's review of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office before the Government-commissioned review of Trading Funds, currently being carried out by Cambridge University, had been completed. (176699)

The conclusions of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office structural and ownership options review have a direct impact on staff and international allies. For this reason the conclusions were announced at the earliest opportunity. The conclusion to remain a Trading Fund was not dependent on the outcome of policy considerations in pricing policy for public information.