Ministry of Defence

We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Grant Shapps
Secretary of State for Defence

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)

Labour
Lord Tunnicliffe (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Spokesperson (Defence)
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Spokesperson (Defence)

Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)

Labour
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Spokesperson (Defence)
Ministers of State
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Leo Docherty (Con - Aldershot)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Andrew Murrison (Con - South West Wiltshire)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Wednesday 22nd May 2024
Select Committee Docs
Thursday 23rd May 2024
18:00
Members' Attendance 2023-24
Attendance Statistics
Select Committee Inquiry
Thursday 21st September 2023
Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-Up

In 2021, the Defence Sub-Committee, chaired by Sarah Atherton MP, conducted an inquiry into Women in the Armed Forces and …

Written Answers
Friday 24th May 2024
Armed Forces: Recruitment
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 25 July 2023 to Question 194671, …
Secondary Legislation
Monday 20th May 2024
Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2024
Section 382 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) provides that the 2006 Act will expire at the …
Bills
Tuesday 26th January 2021
Armed Forces Act 2021
A Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 27th June 2024
14:19

Guidance

Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
May. 20
Oral Questions
Feb. 05
Topical Questions
May. 15
Urgent Questions
Dec. 19
Westminster Hall
Mar. 18
Adjournment Debate
View All Ministry of Defence Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2019 Parliament

Introduced: 26th January 2021

A Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed forces; to make provision about service in the reserve forces; to make provision about pardons for certain abolished service offences; to make provision about war pensions; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 15th December 2021 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 18th March 2020

A Bill to Make provision about legal proceedings and consideration of derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights in connection with operations of the armed forces outside the British Islands.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2021 and was enacted into law.

Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation

Section 382 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) provides that the 2006 Act will expire at the end of one year beginning with the day on which the Armed Forces Act 2021 (“the 2021 Act”) was passed, unless continued in force by Order in Council in accordance with that section. The 2021 Act was passed on 15th December 2021. The Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1086) provided for the continuation of the 2006 Act for a period of 12 months. This Order provides for the continuation of the 2006 Act for a further period of 12 months, so that it expires at the end of 14th December 2025.
Under the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the Act”) certain persons may, for the purposes of the Act, be “civilians subject to service discipline”. Whether a person is a civilian subject to service discipline depends in some cases partly on whether they are a member or employee of a specified organisation. Some categories of persons are civilians subject to service discipline when they are in a designated area. The Armed Forces (Civilians Subject to Service Discipline) Order 2009 (“the 2009 Order”) outlines the designated areas and the specified organisations for the purposes of the Act.
View All Ministry of Defence Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Debates Contributed
108,278
Petition Closed
6 Feb 2022
closed 2 years, 4 months ago

We are demanding that the government treats Gurkhas fairly and pays them the same pension as other British veterans of the same rank and service. Many Gurkhas joined the Queen’s Gurkha Army believing their pension would sustain them and their families but sadly this has not been the case.

There is no excuse for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to continue to effectively fund the slaughter of bears for ceremonial headgear since an indistinguishable alternative has been produced, which is waterproof, and mimics real bear fur in appearance and performance.

View All Ministry of Defence Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Defence Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


0 Members of the Defence Committee
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
The Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review The Security of 5G SDSR 2015 and the Army inquiry Russia: implications for UK defence and security inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2015–16 inquiry BBC Monitoring inquiry Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry Awards for Valour (Protection) Bill inquiry Naval Procurement: Type 26 and Type 45 inquiry NATO Warsaw summit and Chilcot Report Work of the Department 2017 inquiry F-35 Procurement inquiry North Korea inquiry Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17 inquiry Locally Employed Civilians inquiry The effects of BAE restructuring on UK Defence inquiry National Security Capability Review inquiry The Royal Marines and UK amphibious capability inquiry The Government’s Brexit position paper: Foreign policy, defence and development: a future partnership paper inquiry Military exercises and the duty of care: follow up inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2016 inquiry UK National Shipbuilding Strategy inquiry The indispensable ally? US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry Locally employed interpreters inquiry Trident missile testing inquiry Investigations into fatalities involving British military personnel inquiry SDSR 2015 and the RAF inquiry Defence industrial policy: procurement and prosperity inquiry Military Exercises and the Duty of Care: Further Follow-Up inquiry Evidence from the new Defence Secretary inquiry UK Defence and the Strait of Hormuz inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Reports and Accounts 2018-19 inquiry Procurement Update inquiry Domestic Threat of Drones inquiry UK Defence and the Far East inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 inquiry Work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman inquiry UK Response to Hybrid Threats inquiry INF Treaty withdrawal inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 inquiry Departmental Priorities – Post-NATO Summit inquiry Work of Defence Equipment and Support inquiry Work of the Chief of Defence Staff inquiry Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care inquiry Future anti-ship missile system inquiry Statute of limitations – veterans protection inquiry UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa inquiry Mechanised Infantry Vehicle Procurement inquiry Modernising Defence Programme inquiry Departmental priorities inquiry Armed forces and veterans mental health inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2017 inquiry Global Islamist Terrorism inquiry MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 Work of the Chief of the Defence Staff MoD Supplementary Estimates 2012-13 Operations in Afghanistan Strategic Defence and Security Review & the National Security Strategy The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 1: Military Casualties Operations in Libya Developing Threats to Electronic Infrastructure The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 2: Accommodation Defence Implications of Possible Scottish Independence Impact on UK Defence of the proposed merger of BAE systems and EADS MoD Main Estimates 2013-14 Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part One Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Educating Service Personnel Children Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 4: Service Personnel Education Defence Acquisition Defence and cyber-security UK Armed Forces Personnel and Legal Framework for Future Operations Future Army 2020 Future Maritime Surveillance Lariam inquiry Publication of the SDSR UK military operations in Syria and Iraq inquiry Shifting the Goalposts? Defence Expenditure and the 2% pledge Flexible Response? An SDSR checklist of potential threats Towards the next defence and security review: Part Three Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 The situation in Iraq and Syria Decision-making in Defence Policy Future Force 2020 Armed Forces (Services Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill MoD Main Estimates 2014-15 Inquiry Defence Growth Partnership Ministry of Defence Mid Year Report Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part Two: NATO Afghanistan - Camp Bastion Attack Defence Materiel Strategy Afghanistan The Armed Forces Covenant in Action Part 5: Military Casualties Pre-appointment hearing: Service Complaints Commissioner Defence contribution to the UK’s pandemic response Progress in delivering the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability Foreign Involvement in the Defence Supply Chain The Integrated Review – Threats, Capabilities and Concepts Defence and Climate Change National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh Armed Forces Readiness Future Aviation Capabilities Defence in the Grey Zone Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-Up NATO, US and UK Defence Relations National security and investment Beyond endurance? Military exercises and the duty of care Defence in the Arctic MoD support for former and serving personnel subject to judicial processes Defence in the Arctic (Sub-Committee) Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 Defence industrial policy: procurement and prosperity Departmental Priorities – Post-NATO Summit Domestic Threat of Drones Evidence from the new Defence Secretary Global Islamist Terrorism INF Treaty withdrawal UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa Future anti-ship missile system Statute of limitations – veterans protection Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care Work of Defence Equipment and Support Ministry of Defence Annual Reports and Accounts 2018-19 European Defence Industrial Development Programme Modernising Defence Programme Military Exercises and the Duty of Care: Further Follow-Up Procurement Update Work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman UK Defence and the Far East UK Defence and the Strait of Hormuz UK Response to Hybrid Threats Work of the Chief of Defence Staff

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

14th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel are based at Marchwood Military Port.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
9th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2024 to Question 15742 of 26 February, when he plans to place the information requested in the Library.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
9th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total value is of the contracts managed by Defence Business Services.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
9th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list all the contracts managed by Defence Business Services.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of armed forces uniforms are manufactured in the UK.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of manufacturing armed forces uniforms abroad on security.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of manufacturing all British armed forces uniforms in the UK.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to take steps to end the procurement from China of clothing for (a) the SAS, (b) snipers, (c) the Red Arrows and (d) other military units.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
29th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of his Department's progress on improving service accommodation since his appointment.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
12th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the objectives for the Rotary Wing strategy refresh.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
12th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's timescales are for concluding the Rotary Wing strategy refresh.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
12th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish the conclusions of the Rotary Wing strategy refresh.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
12th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which stakeholders his Department has consulted during the Rotary Wing strategy refresh.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure the safety and (b) mitigate potential risks posed by the decommissioning of nuclear submarines at Rosyth Royal Dockyard for surrounding residential areas.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
16th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase value for money in procurement.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
15th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2024 to Question 21508 on Armed Forces: Health, for what reasons members of the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force were deemed medically non-deployable on 1 April (a) 2023, (b) 2016 and (c) 2010.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
13th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) full time and (b) reservist Armed Forces personnel are working on recruitment for the (i) British Army, (ii) Royal Navy, (iii) RAF and (iv) Royal Marines as of 13 May 2024.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2024 to Question 25754 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of the senior responsible officer’s time that was spent working on the Recruiting Partnering Project in the last 12 months.

Approximately 10% of the Senior Responsible Officer’s (SRO) programmed meeting time was spent on the Recruiting Partnering Project in the last 12 months, alongside their other duties. This is the only programme for which they are the SRO. The SRO is supported by a team who focus on the Recruiting Partnering Project full time.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2024 to Question 25754 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, what other programmes the Senior Responsible Officer has responsibility for.

Approximately 10% of the Senior Responsible Officer’s (SRO) programmed meeting time was spent on the Recruiting Partnering Project in the last 12 months, alongside their other duties. This is the only programme for which they are the SRO. The SRO is supported by a team who focus on the Recruiting Partnering Project full time.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have (a) applied for and (b) received a Veterans' ID Card in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
9th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personal data incidents have affected Defence Children Services schools and settings since 2010.

The number of personal data incidents that have been correctly reported to the Army Warning Advice and Reporting Point (WARP) that have affected Defence Children Services schools and settings since 2010 and the number of affected individuals that have been affected by personal data incidents related to Defence Children Services schools and settings in each year since 2010 is as below:

Incidents

Affected Individuals

2010

0

0

2011

0

0

2012

0

0

2013

0

0

2014

0

0

2015

0

0

2016

1

61

2017

0

0

2018

0

0

2019

2

270

2020

1

1

2021

3

4184

2022

6

21

2023

9

459

2024

2

29

Totals

24

5025

This data has been taken from Blackthorn Defence Incident Management Database (BT DIMDb) (which is directly fed by the Security Incident Reporting Forms (SIRFs) used across Defence) and the Army WARP Security Incident Database (SID).

It is not possible to split the affected individuals down into the categories stipulated in this question as that distinction is not made during reporting or investigation. It should also be noted that the number of people impacted is determined during the course of the investigation.

The 2021 figures include a major investigation into a cyber incident at a single school, which resulted in the potential compromise of 1110 internal (Ministry of Defence) email addresses and 3070 external (personal) email addresses.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
9th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) armed forces (i) personnel and (ii) families and (b) civil servants in his Department have been affected by personal data incidents related to Defence Children Services schools and settings in each year since 2010.

The number of personal data incidents that have been correctly reported to the Army Warning Advice and Reporting Point (WARP) that have affected Defence Children Services schools and settings since 2010 and the number of affected individuals that have been affected by personal data incidents related to Defence Children Services schools and settings in each year since 2010 is as below:

Incidents

Affected Individuals

2010

0

0

2011

0

0

2012

0

0

2013

0

0

2014

0

0

2015

0

0

2016

1

61

2017

0

0

2018

0

0

2019

2

270

2020

1

1

2021

3

4184

2022

6

21

2023

9

459

2024

2

29

Totals

24

5025

This data has been taken from Blackthorn Defence Incident Management Database (BT DIMDb) (which is directly fed by the Security Incident Reporting Forms (SIRFs) used across Defence) and the Army WARP Security Incident Database (SID).

It is not possible to split the affected individuals down into the categories stipulated in this question as that distinction is not made during reporting or investigation. It should also be noted that the number of people impacted is determined during the course of the investigation.

The 2021 figures include a major investigation into a cyber incident at a single school, which resulted in the potential compromise of 1110 internal (Ministry of Defence) email addresses and 3070 external (personal) email addresses.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of staff diversity networks in his Department in each of the last five years.

The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
15th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of soldiers that took the Soldier Conditioning Review were graded (a) condition, (b) unconditioned and (c) other in each year since that review was introduced.

In relation to the Soldier Conditioning Review, personnel are marked on the system as ‘red’ when they have areas of physical fitness they need to improve. If they are marked as ‘green’ it means they do not have any specific areas of physical fitness development / improvement and are at an adequate baseline. Personnel are marked as ‘Amber’ on the system if the individual needs to take another assessment in the next two months.

The table below shows the number and proportion of Regular and Reserve soldiers that took the Soldier Conditioning Review who were graded as ‘Green’ or ‘Amber’ and ‘All other grades’.

Year

Number of Pers

Status

Proportion

01 Apr – 31 Dec 2022

74,336

Green or Amber

63.98%

41,849

All other grades

36.02%

01 Jan – 31 Dec 2023

71,945

Green or Amber

67.86%

34,081

All other grades

32.14%

Notes/Caveats:

  1. This data was sourced by the Army’s Personnel Policy Directorate as at 17 May 2024. The data has been taken from a live system and therefore could be subject to change.

  1. The figures are single Service estimates based on management information which is not gathered for statistical purposes or subject to the same level of scrutiny as official statistics produced by Defence Statistics. The figures provided may therefore be subject to data quality issues affecting their accuracy.

  1. The Soldier Conditioning Review was implemented in 2019. Prior to April 2022 the data was recorded in a different manner due to a change in how the tests were recorded and captured on the system, therefore this information is not available in the format requested.
Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
13th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) of his Department's civilian personnel, (b) Armed Forces personnel and (c) external private contractors work on recruitment for the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) British Army, (iii) Royal Air Force and (iv) Royal Marines.

It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Murrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 21541 on Armed Forces: Housing tabled by the Rt hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne on 15 April 2024.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 24 May 2024.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 21542 on Armed Forces: Housing tabled by the Rt hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne on 15 April 2024.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 24 May 2024.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Bulwark will next deploy.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 April 2024 to Question 21289 to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Mr Pollard).

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department receives a payment for each export order of Type (a) 26 and (b) 31 frigate.

I am unable to answer due to commercial sensitivities.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has received in payments for the export of the Type (a) 26 and (b) 31 frigate design since the project began.

I am unable to answer due to commercial sensitivities.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines, published on 14 May 2024, where the new Multi-Role Support Ships will be built.

As announced by the Secretary of State, it is intended that the Multi Role Support Ships will be built in the UK.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the out of service date is for RFA Argus.

The Secretary of State confirmed in his speech to the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference on 14 May 2024 that up to six Multi Role Support Ships will replace our current amphibious fleet, including the Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliaries) and RFA Argus. The Multi Role Support Ship will come into service from the early 2030s.

To avoid compromising operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose individual out of service dates or specific in-service dates for naval vessels to avoid revealing elements of the fleet's long-term schedule.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the out of service date is for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Bay-class ships.

The Secretary of State confirmed in his speech to the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference on 14 May 2024 that up to six Multi Role Support Ships will replace our current amphibious fleet, including the Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliaries) and RFA Argus. The Multi Role Support Ship will come into service from the early 2030s.

To avoid compromising operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose individual out of service dates or specific in-service dates for naval vessels to avoid revealing elements of the fleet's long-term schedule.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on (a) upkeep and (b) maintenance of HMS Westminster since October 2022.

As I advised on 15 January 2024 when I answered Question 8349 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois), in the financial year 2023-24, £100 million has been allocated for Type 23 refits and of this sum about £50 million has been expended. Of this, £8 million was spent on upkeep and maintenance of HMS Westminster.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
15th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many notices to quit have been issued by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to (a) service and (b) non service families in Service Family Accommodation properties in the UK in each year since 2010.

Data on the number of Notices to Quit (NTQs) issued to Service personnel and their families in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK is available from April 2022; the implementation date of the current service contract:

Year

No of NTQs issued to Service Personnel

April 2022 – end December 2022

Nil

January 2023 – December 2023

159

January 2024 – March 2024

5

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

Month

Number of NTQs Issued to Service Personnel

Jan 23

2

Feb 23

0

Mar 23

0

Apr 23

0

May 23

0

Jun 23

0

Jul 23

0

Aug 23

72

Sep 23

23

Oct 23

33

Nov 23

27

Dec 23

2

Jan 24

3

Feb 24

2

Mar 24

0

The Civilian Sublet Tenancy Scheme began in 2016 and no NTQs were issued until 2019. An annual breakdown of the number of NTQs that have been issued to Civilian Sublet tenants living in SFA properties in the UK is provided in the table below:

Time Period

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024 (to April 16th)

No of NTQs issued to Civilian Sublet Tenants

14

3

459

95

92

98

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

Month

Number of NTQ’s Issued

Jan 23

11

Feb 23

1

Mar 23

5

Apr 23

9

May 23

8

Jun 23

0

Jul 23

1

Aug 23

1

Sep 23

14

Oct 23

16

Nov 23

17

Dec 23

9

Jan 24

17

Feb 24

3

Mar 24

63

Apr 24 (up to 16th of the month)

15

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
15th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many notices to quit have been issued by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to (a) service and (b) non service families in Service Family Accommodation properties in the UK in each month since January 2023.

Data on the number of Notices to Quit (NTQs) issued to Service personnel and their families in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK is available from April 2022; the implementation date of the current service contract:

Year

No of NTQs issued to Service Personnel

April 2022 – end December 2022

Nil

January 2023 – December 2023

159

January 2024 – March 2024

5

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

Month

Number of NTQs Issued to Service Personnel

Jan 23

2

Feb 23

0

Mar 23

0

Apr 23

0

May 23

0

Jun 23

0

Jul 23

0

Aug 23

72

Sep 23

23

Oct 23

33

Nov 23

27

Dec 23

2

Jan 24

3

Feb 24

2

Mar 24

0

The Civilian Sublet Tenancy Scheme began in 2016 and no NTQs were issued until 2019. An annual breakdown of the number of NTQs that have been issued to Civilian Sublet tenants living in SFA properties in the UK is provided in the table below:

Time Period

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024 (to April 16th)

No of NTQs issued to Civilian Sublet Tenants

14

3

459

95

92

98

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

Month

Number of NTQ’s Issued

Jan 23

11

Feb 23

1

Mar 23

5

Apr 23

9

May 23

8

Jun 23

0

Jul 23

1

Aug 23

1

Sep 23

14

Oct 23

16

Nov 23

17

Dec 23

9

Jan 24

17

Feb 24

3

Mar 24

63

Apr 24 (up to 16th of the month)

15

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has (a) been committed to and (b) been spent on the Multi-Role Support Ship programme.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his expected timetable is for when the first Multi-Role Support Ship vessel will enter service.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what average number of crew will be required per Multi-Role Support Ship.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
16th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power conference on 14 May 2024, how much funding his Department has allocated for the construction of six new multi-role support ships.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
16th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power conference on 14 May 2024, what the planned timetable is for the multi-role support ships reaching (a) initial and (b) full operating capability.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
16th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power conference on 14 May 2024, what the planned in-service date is for the multi-role support ships.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the new Multi-Role Support Ships will be operated by the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines, published on 14 May 2024, whether the new Multi-Role Support Ships will be procured via the integrated procurement model.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines, published on 14 May 2024, what his planned timetable is to launch the competition for the first Multi Role Support Ship.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines, published on 14 May 2024, what the expected in-service date will be for the first Multi-Role Support Ship.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
21st May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines, published on 14 May 2024, for how many of the new multi-role support ships has funding been allocated by his Department.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

  • Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
  • Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
  • Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
  • Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th May 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government who funded the recent trip of the Minister for the Armed Forces, Leo Docherty MP, to Bahrain; and, insofar as sponsorship was provided by the government of Bahrain, what this sponsorship covered.

I can confirm that this visit was funded only through HMG, there was no funding or sponsorship from Bahrain.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
14th May 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings the Earl of Minto has had with the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police since November 2023.

Owing to a combination of diary constraints and scheduled calls being cancelled due to urgent business on both sides, I have not had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)