Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons publication of the National Shipbuilding Strategy has been delayed.

I am delighted that Sir John Parker has submitted his independent report to inform the UK National Shipbuilding Strategy. The Chief Secretary and I received Sir John's report ahead of the Autumn Statement, as promised at the Budget 2016 (HC 901, article 2.284).

The publication of Sir John's report was not delayed. The Government has today published Sir John's report and covering letter in full, and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

We will study Sir John's recommendations and will publish a full and considered response, and implementation plan, in spring 2017. This response will be the National Shipbuilding Strategy.