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Met Office: Cost Effectiveness

Volume 495: debated on Wednesday 8 July 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether officials of his Department have met officials from the Shareholder Executive to discuss opportunities for private sector partners to develop specific services to complement those of the Met Office. (284770)

The Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) Met Office Review Group is comprised of officials from the Ministry of Defence, Shareholder Executive, HM Treasury and the Met Office and meets regularly in undertaking the review.

This group is responsible for taking forward all aspects of the Met Office review as set out in the OEP Final Report published in April 2009. While exploring all options and opportunities, initial discussions began regarding opportunities for engaging with private sector partners. However, this aspect of the work is at an early stage, and more detailed work on this topic will be taking place over the coming months. A further update on progress of the review will be provided with the pre-Budget report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the reference in the Operational Efficiency Programme to the greater involvement of the private sector with the Met Office includes involvement by (a) the private weather sector and (b) private equity. (284771)

An update on progress of the Met Office Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) review was provided in the OEP Final Report published April 2009. The update included reference to the potential expansion of commercial operations at the Met Office, possibly through the introduction of private capital in some areas, as well as seeking opportunities to develop specific services with private sector partners to complement Met Office's business. The private weather sector were involved in the Trading Fund Assessment work. Further involvement of the private sector, which could in principle include involvement by the private weather sector and private equity, will be considered as we develop more detailed work over the coming months. A further update on progress of the review will be provided with the pre-Budget report.