§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about possible defence agency status for personnel security vetting within his Department. [36394]
§ Mr. SoamesDefence costs studies conducted in my Department have concluded that the personnel security vetting function in the MOD should be considered for defence agency status under the "next steps" initiative. A "prior options" study will be undertaken to establish whether agency status or some other option is the more appropriate. The result of this study will be made known to the House in due course.