Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East during the Oral Statement of 22 May 2025 on Diego Garcia Military Base, Official Report, column 1291, if it remains his position that the most proximate and most potentially serious legal threat that could undermine the operations of the Diego Garcia military base is an adverse ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We have always been clear that, if a long-term deal was not reached, there was a risk of further litigation being brought rapidly which could have had serious implications for the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.
There are various avenues through which Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling, including under dispute provisions of treaties to which both States are parties or further arbitral proceedings against the UK under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS"). A ruling from such an arbitral tribunal would be legally binding on the parties to it.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his statement of 22 May 2025 on Diego Garcia Military Base, Official Report, column 1284, if he will list the legal threats that currently threaten the security of the Diego Garcia military base.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We have always been clear that, if a long-term deal was not reached, there was a risk of further litigation being brought rapidly which could have had serious implications for the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.
There are various avenues through which Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling, including under dispute provisions of treaties to which both States are parties or further arbitral proceedings against the UK under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS"). A ruling from such an arbitral tribunal would be legally binding on the parties to it.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his statement of 22 May 2025 on Diego Garcia Military Base, Official Report, Column 1284, what the potential legal rulings are that he referred to.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We have always been clear that, if a long-term deal was not reached, there was a risk of further litigation being brought rapidly which could have had serious implications for the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.
There are various avenues through which Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling, including under dispute provisions of treaties to which both States are parties or further arbitral proceedings against the UK under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS"). A ruling from such an arbitral tribunal would be legally binding on the parties to it.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Northern Ireland element of the Defence Growth Deal on (a) jobs and (b) private sector investment in areas beyond Greater Belfast.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal will combine defence and wider Government investment to support companies across a number of sub-sectors that are key for defence and align with Defence’s strategic priorities. The Deal will harness NI’s defence and dual-use strengths, driving innovation and increasing competitiveness. It is anticipated to attract significant private sector investment and support hundreds of jobs across Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the contract with Palantir was awarded without competition in December 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Palantir Enterprise Agreement was a Direct Award justified under the Procurement Act 2023. The Enterprise Agreement covers existing services and where there is a robust technical justification for using Palantir products and services for Defence outcomes. The decision to proceed by way of a Direct Award under Schedule 5, Paragraph 7 reflected the need to maintain continuity of critical Defence capabilities. All procurement procedures were followed with the publication of a Transparency Notice.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104835 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98517 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104518 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98516 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January to Question 104836 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98518 tabled on 9 December 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many replenishments at sea RFA’s Tide-class tankers have provided for international allies in each year since 2017 to date.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Tide-class tankers routinely support NATO, Joint Expeditionary Force partners, and other allied maritime operations while delivering the UK’s standing commitments worldwide.
The data the hon. Member requires is not held in the format requested. However, we estimate that there have been in excess of 300 replenishment at sea provided to international allies by Tide-class tankers from 2017 to date.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104517 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98515 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.