To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with Treasury officials on the future of the Met Office as part of the Government’s Trading Fund Review; and if he will make a statement. (260205)

Officials from the Ministry of Defence and Treasury were represented on the Trading Funds Assessment Steering Group. As announced in the pre-Budget report the Met Office is now being examined as part of the Government’s Operational Efficiency Programme and officials from both Departments are meeting regularly to take this forward.