11. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the review of his Department's equipment programme on the capabilities of the armed forces. (246450)

The effect has been very positive. We are pressing ahead with Future Lynx and giving a new priority to the Warrior upgrade and the FRES reconnaissance vehicle. These are all very important programmes for current operations and the nation's future defence capability. We have been able to do this by re-profiling the carrier build programme without any loss to defence capability. Although the in-service dates of the new carrier have been delayed, of which the House is aware, this has allowed us to more closely align their entry into service with the aircraft which will fly off them.