Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparatory work is being undertaken in anticipation of the next Strategic Defence and Security Review; and if he will make a statement. [173503]

Mr Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Defence: Responsibility for the next Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) lies with the Cabinet Office. The Government's priority remains implementing the important decisions made in 2010, but early preparatory work has begun across Whitehall for the next SDSR. As part of this, the Ministry of Defence is undertaking a programme of research and activity to examine how the future strategic context has changed since 2010, to examine policy options in response and to test the continued validity of Future Force 2020. This work is designed to build an evidence base that will support decision-making in 2015, and is being closely co-ordinated with other Government Departments, international partners and external experts.

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