Written question asked by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 June 2011. It was answered by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Monday, 4 July 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Departmental Junior Ministers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department requires two Permanent Under-Secretaries.

Answer: [holding answer 27 June 2011]: The Secretary of State for Defence published Lord Levene's report into the structure and management of the Ministry of Defence on 27 June, and endorsed its recommendations. Those recommendations reduce the number of senior military and civilian posts in the Department. However, Lord Levene recommended retaining the Second Permanent Secretary post—and the Vice Chief of Defence Staff post—on the basis that, without them, the loading and span of control on the Permanent Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff would be unsustainable. Recognising the amount of change the Department will be embarking on, Lord Levene also recommended that we take stock of progress after about two years and consider whether the proposed structure and role of the Head Office, including the requirement, role and seniority of both the Second Permanent Secretary and the Vice Chief of Defence Staff remain valid.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 62298; 530 c1047W
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Departmental responsibilities Ministry of Defence Junior ministers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk