asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by Baroness Taylor of Bolton on 2 June (WS 1), on what basis and by what calculations the valuation of £635 million was established for the contract with Ascent for a military flying training system.. [HL3938]

The costs were established as part of a competitive tendering process under which Ascent was judged to have offered the best value-for-money solution. The sum includes the engagement of Ascent as MoD's training system partner for 25 years, plus capital and service provision costs for the initial training package at RAF Valley.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by Baroness Taylor of Bolton on 2 June (WS1), how the cost of the contract with Ascent for a military flying training system will be allocated across financial years. [HL3939]

The £635 million costs of the initial commitment with Ascent are spread across the 25-year contract duration. The detailed financial data for the department's equipment projects form part of the internal advice to Ministers on the overall affordability of the defence programme and contain information which is commercially sensitive. I am therefore withholding the detailed information as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.