Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Royal Navy. [84445]

Peter Luff MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: The fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Naval Service is constantly monitored through an effective and well proven process, which identifies, assesses and manages any risks to the delivery of outputs and objectives, reporting, as appropriate, to the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), as Chairman of the Defence Board.