To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings (a) he and (b) his officials have held with the Operational Efficiency Programme project team on the future of the Met Office; and when the next such meeting will take place. (295641)

The Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) Met Office Review Group comprises officials from the Ministry of Defence, Shareholder Executive, HM Treasury and the Met Office. The review group meets regularly in undertaking the review. The next review group meeting is schedule for 27 November 2009.

The Secretary of State for Defence is regularly briefed on the progress of the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a statement on the future of the Met Office. (295642)

The Met Office Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) Review Group is exploring a number of options, including reviewing Met Office’s business model, ownership structure and commercial activities and opportunities.

An update on the Met Office OEP review will be provided around the pre-Budget report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider the merits of placing responsibility for the commercial operations of the Met Office (a) within a single Government department and (b) with a single minister. (295643)

Met Office is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence. As the owner, I have day to day ministerial responsibility for the Met Office, including its commercial activities. Ministerial responsibility for the Met Office ultimately rests with the Secretary of State for Defence.

The Met Office Operational Efficiency Programme Review Group is exploring a number of options, including reviewing Met Office’s business model, ownership structure and commercial activities and opportunities. An update on this work will be provided around the pre-Budget report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to meet private sector stakeholders as part of his Department's ongoing review of the Met Office. (295644)

As the Met Office Operational Efficiency Programme Review Group develop more detailed work over the coming months engagement with the private sector will be considered.