The government's apparent resistance to release a damning report came under further fire in the Commons today.

Liam Fox told MPs that Downing Street had tried to block the publication of the Bernard Gray report into defence procurement because prime minister Gordon Brown had shown "little interest in defence” in his ten years as chancellor, “and we are now paying the price" 

The shadow defence secretary said the government's handling of the document reflected the contents of the report itself.

It had been characterised by "unnecessary delay, incompetence and an attempt to avoid responsibility," he said.

The review into defence procurement practices by Bernard Gray was commissioned last year by then-defence secretary John Hutton.

In a sharply-worded analysis, it slammed civil servants, senior members of the armed forces, politicians and industry executives for failing to recognise the spending constraints Britain faces.

Last week defence secretary Bob Ainsworth was reprimanded by the Speaker for publishing the report only one hour before a Commons debate on defence policy.

Today Fox told MPs the government's approach to defence procurement was to do little more than draw up a "wish list" with little or no consideration of the actual costs involved.

He cited the two-year delay to the future aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales as "utterly spurious" and indicative of Labour's failed approach.

"The government has increasingly announced and started procurement programmes without ever considering whether any money would ever be available,” Fox said.

"Children write letters to Santa Claus with comparable understanding between desirability and affordability.

"The procurement programme under Labour is becoming a wish list."

In a statement to the Commons today Ainsworth had sought to “deny” the opposition the chance to exploit the report by announcing that the Ministry of Defence would take onboard many of its suggestions.

He acknowledged that report had correctly identified significant problems within the ministry's procurement processes.

"These include the tendency for programmes to cost more and take longer to deliver than was originally estimated," he admitted.

Ainsworth said he would explore legislative means to implement Gray’s recommendation that strategic defence reviews are to be conducted at the start of each new parliament.

But he confirmed that the MoD do not intend to put the Defence Equipment and Support Agency "at more arms length" from the ministry.

"We are not convinced that such a change would lead to better outcomes for armed forces.

"Having DE&S as fully part of defence ensures a close working relationship," he told the Commons.