Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of trends in the level of the cost of fuel on fuel costs for the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Army.

The cost of fuel forms part of wider running costs for front line commands and should not be considered in isolation. Any potential impact from rising fuel prices will be closely monitored by the Department, as with any other pressure.