Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Chris Ruane

Monday 11th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab)]

12. What budget his Department will require after 2015; and if he will make a statement.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond)]

The budget after 2015 will be set at the next spending review. Our current planning assumption is for a flat real-terms budget settlement overall, with a 1% real-terms increase per annum in the equipment and support budget, as agreed with the Treasury.

[Chris Ruane]

When will the Secretary of State publish the National Audit Office report on the budget and equipment programme? Such impartial information is needed by us as MPs, the public and the defence industry.

[Mr Hammond]

I completely accept that, and as I said to my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Hampshire (Mr Arbuthnot) a few moments ago, I am aware of the fact that the degree of confidentiality around the defence budget invites scepticism when such announcements are made. As soon as we have the report from the National Audit Office, we will publish it.