My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Des Browne) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to announce that I am today publishing the Ministry of Defence’s annual report and accounts 2007-08. They combine the department’s annual performance report and departmental resource accounts in a single document that provides a comprehensive overview of the MoD’s financial and non-financial performance for the year, a final assessment of performance against the 2004 spending review public service agreement targets and a provisional assessment of final performance against the 2004 spending review efficiency target. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. They are also available online from the department’s website at www.mod.uk/Defencelnternet/DefenceFor/Researchers/.

This has been a challenging year for defence. The operational tempo remained high with the continuing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In those theatres and others, British forces are making a huge contribution to international security. We have made real progress in developing our relationship with industry, promoting innovation and improving the whole procurement process. Our Armed Forces are now better equipped than ever before. The report also details the considerable progress that the Ministry of Defence has simultaneously made in delivering the capabilities and reformed force structure set out in the July 2004 Command Paper Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities, other elements of the defence change programme, the defence acquisition change programme, the capability review and the Government’s wider sustainability goals.

The success of defence is dependent on the men and women of the Armed Forces and the civilians who support them. They continue to do an exceptional job. The Government remain committed to providing the support that they need and deserve.