Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on improving defence procurement since the appointment of the new Chief of Defence Materiel; and if he will make a statement. [60527]

Peter Luff MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: The new Chief of Defence Materiel, appointed at the beginning of January 2011, has initiated a fundamental review to establish the core role for Defence Equipment and Support and how it can deliver its business most efficiently and effectively. This review, known as The Materiel Strategy, will be coherent with Defence Reform outcomes and the forthcoming ‘Equipment, Support, and Technology for UK Defence and Security’ White Paper that is expected to be published later this year. The Materiel Strategy will be implemented from early 2012 onwards.

Additionally, I have established the Major Projects Review Board that met for the first time on 13 June 2011. This new board scrutinises the Department's highest value equipment projects to ensure tight financial controls are in place and that performance and time targets are met. Those responsible for projects forecasting significant slippage, cost growth, or performance shortfalls will be robustly held to account.