Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will establish an inquiry into the adequacy of the security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As I announced in my statement to the House on Monday 23 June 2025, that I believe the right hon. Gentleman was present for, a full security review is underway at RAF Brize Norton with additional reviews across the Defence Estate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability with the ability to (a) sense, (b) warn of and (c) track threats in the Euro-Atlantic.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review recommended the Ministry of Defence (MOD) should seek partners to develop a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to sense, warn and track threats in the Euro-Atlantic for the purpose of air and missile defence. The Review announced a £1 Billion investment in air and missile defence of the UK. Specific decisions on the UK's Integrated Air and Missile Defence will follow through the Defence Investment Plan which is in development within the MOD and due for publication in Autumn 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's planned timeline was for media engagement on the release of the Strategic Defence Review 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to members of Defence staff and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies, and the media. The media briefing began at 1030 on Monday 2 June, and was supported by Ministerial interviews with a range of media outlets.

This is broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews. At no point did stakeholders receive any commercially sensitive information ahead of publication.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of vandalism at RAF Brize Norton on its (a) air-to-air refuelling and (b) transport capabilities.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The incident did not affect RAF operational output. All flights have gone ahead as planned using alternative aircraft. Personnel at RAF Brize Norton continue to provide rapid global mobility and air to air refuelling capability, in support of operations and exercises worldwide. The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Ministry of Defence Police was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

No.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) make and (b) name was of each aircraft affected by the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The two aircraft targeted in the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025 are both RAF Voyagers. Due to operational security reasons, I hope the Rt hon. Gentleman will understand that we will not be able to confirm the names of the aircraft involved.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was billed by his Department to the Cabinet Office to reimburse the costs of providing fixed-wing air transport to the Prime Minister for domestic flights on aircraft registered under the marks (a) G-ZABH and (b) G-ZAHS since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom. Information about official overseas travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on using drone technology.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Each of the Front-Line Commands employ a range of different drone capabilities and are currently developing an array of future capabilities aligned to the Defence Drone Strategy. In 2024 the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) was established to focus on Research and Development, Test and Evaluation, Policy and Regulation, Security and Integration and Knowledge Exploitation across the developing portfolio of Defence Uncrewed Systems.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58934 on Armed Forces: Vacancies, what the ranks of the unfilled posts are; and how long they have been unfilled.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has one of the highest post fill rates in NATO. As of 1 April 2025, the UK’s post allocation was 1,053, of which 82 were unfilled. While 8% of our posts were gapped in April 2025, this was predominantly for a period of less than 10 months. The majority of gaps were at OF-3, OF-4, and OR-6 level, which corresponds to the most in demand ranks of the personnel we provide. The full data for this period is as follows:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement of the security review into the defence estate in connection to the security breach at RAF Brize Norton, on 20 June 2025, what steps he is taking to increase security (a) RAF bases (b) Army bases and (c) Royal Navy bases.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. Work has initially focused on Brize Norton but extends to all UK bases. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement of a security review into the defence estate in connection to the security breach at RAF Brize Norton, on 20 June 2025, when the review will (a) report to him and (b) be shared with parliamentarians.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. Work has initially focused on Brize Norton but extends to all UK bases. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement of the security review into the defence estate in connection to the security breach at RAF Brize Norton, on 20 June 2025, how he will prioritise the order in which bases are reviewed.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. Work has initially focused on Brize Norton but extends to all UK bases. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement of the security review into the defence estate in connection to the security breach at RAF Brize Norton, on 20 June 2025, which bases will be covered by the review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. Work has initially focused on Brize Norton but extends to all UK bases. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the announcement of the security review into the defence estate in connection to the security breach at RAF Brize Norton, on 20 June 2025, who will conduct that review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. Work has initially focused on Brize Norton but extends to all UK bases. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent (a) trespass and (b) vandalism at (i) RAF Brize Norton and (ii) other Ministry of Defence sites designated as protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus.

Immediate measures were put in place following the incident to enhance existing security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton, with increased vigilance at all other sites. You will appreciate that we will not comment on the specifics of those arrangements. We have also directed a full review of security arrangements across all Defence sites. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which countries the armed forces provided training to in (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25; and which armed service provided that training.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his Question 60404 on 24 June, where I answered:

The UK Armed Forces provided various forms of military training to around 120 countries in 2023- 24 and 140 countries in 2024-25. Our training provision is tailored to the specific needs of Allies and partners, spanning several branches across the Services to provide the relevant expertise needed. In the interests of national security and upholding trust and confidentiality with our international partnerships, it is not appropriate to provide a detailed breakdown of these countries, or the nature of that training. All training is carried out in adherence to International Humanitarian Law.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel are eligible for service in the strategic reserve in each of the armed forces.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Strategic Reserve comprises two distinct elements: those former Service personnel with an ongoing legal liability to train and to be called out if needed (the Regular Reserve) and those with a legal liability to be recalled in the direst of situations (the Recall Reserve).

Numbers within the Regular Reserve are routinely published within the Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-index). In table 8a of the Excel spreadsheet with the latest April 2025 figures, the Tri-Service UK Regular Reserve forces totalled 36,398 of which:

Reserve Naval and Marine Forces Regular Reserve: 6,774

Reserve Land Forces Regular Reserve: 22,897

Reserve Air Forces Regular Reserve: 6,727

Defence does not currently publish Recall Reserve statistics but as part of the Strategic Defence Review, we are working to step up engagement with the Strategic Reserve and establish a digitised approach to Reserves management.

We will reinvigorate our relationship with the Strategic Reserve to ensure the UK is ready to respond at scale to global insecurity. It is also a chance to renew the bond between society and those who’ve served, and to unlock the unique expertise gained through military Service and deploying it when it matters most.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help support the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As set out in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Royal Charter, the six member countries contribute to the funding of the Commission in proportion to the number of graves maintained for each nation’s Armed Forces. The United Kingdom is the largest contributor, paying 79% of the Commission’s budget via quarterly payments. For this year, that equates to a UK contribution of £59 million.

Given the scale of the UK contribution, the Secretary of State for Defence is the Chair of the CWGC. Additionally, the Defence Services Secretary represents Defence at the quarterly CWGC Commissioners’ meetings and the regular finance meetings where budgets are agreed and expenditure monitored.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) also work closely with the CWGC on selected commemorative events. Alongside this year’s landmark VE Day 80 and VJ Day 80 anniversaries, DCMS are leading Government assistance to the CWGC’s delivery of the ‘For Evermore Tour’, a programme of over 250 mobile exhibitions and events across the UK and at key global commemorative sites, to honour and share the stories of those who served in the Second World War. Questions related to that specific assistance should be addressed to DCMS.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will command the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation.

The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology.

The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many staff will be employed as part of the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation.

The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology.

The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what the cost of establishing the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation.

The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology.

The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be established.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation.

The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology.

The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 55079 on Armed Forces: Firearms, whether the provision of a replacement rifle-mounted grenade launcher is within the scope of Project Grayburn.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The L123A3 Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL) remains in-service and compatible with the L85 rifle family. There is currently not a programme of record to replace the UGL, and it is outside the boundaries for Project GRAYBURN. Analysis into optimum levels of lethality in small teams is being conducted, ensuring we continue to deliver highly lethal effects across Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58340 on Land Rover: Armed Forces, whether all 5,674 Land Rovers in service across Defence are due to be withdrawn from service by 2030.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Yes, all in-service Land Rovers have a current out of service date of 2030.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his US counterpart on the (a) future of the E7 Wedgetail programme and (b) interoperability between both nations.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence have continual engagement with the US regarding the E-7 programme, specifically through the trilateral agreement and working groups established in 2022. These focus on collaboration and interoperability as directed in a Joint Vison Statement signed in 2023.

As highlighted in the recent Strategic Defence Review, the E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft provide significant advantages in warfighting, such as more persistent deep strike options. Growth of the Royal Air Force Airborne Early Warning and Control capability was identified in the recent Strategic Defence Review, as advantageous to the UK and NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the (a) financial accountability and (b) value for money of the E-7 Wedgetail programme; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of launching an independent review of the programme’s (i) management and (ii) expenditure.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Identified as part of the Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP), the Wedgetail programme is subject to regular reviews by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority who undertake regular assessment of the E-7 programme and report their findings at regular intervals through the GMPP.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the volume of carbon dioxide emissions produced by the ceremonial activities associated with Trooping the Colour; and what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the environmental impact of state ceremonial events.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence does not record the volume of carbon dioxide emissions for individual events. However, the Department is committed to reducing carbon emissions and operate sustainably where practical with no compromise to national security.

The troops involved in Trooping the Colour marched from barracks in the immediate vicinity of the parade.

For the aircraft participating in the King's Birthday Flypast the RAF continues to lead the way in operating more sustainably as part of Defence's commitment to reduce carbon emissions. For this flypast, jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team were powered with a high-ratio blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This is thought to be the first time anywhere in the world that a national aerobatic squadron has switched to both a SAF blend for propulsion and a renewable biofuel, known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to produce its trademark vapour trails.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is CCTV coverage of the perimeter of RAF Brize Norton.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

RAF Brize Norton has CCTV in operation that enables remote coverage of base areas which is part of the multilayered approach to security on site.

The Defence Secretary has ordered that a full security review be conducted at pace, not only at Brize Norton, but across the defence estate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to further develop the Trinity House Agreement.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Since the signing of the landmark Trinity House Agreement, the Ministry of Defence has worked with our German counterparts to take the first steps towards turning the words of the text into real, practical co-operation. The Secretary of State met with Minister Pistorius on 15 May 2025 to hold the first Defence Ministerial Council under the agreement; detail on progress was set out in a Joint Statement, available on GOV.UK entitled ‘Joint statement on UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement progress - 15 May 2025’. My Right Hon Friend the Foreign Secretary is also driving forward a new bilateral Treaty with Germany, building on the success of the Trinity House Agreement. Due to be signed later this year, this new Treaty will underline the full breadth of the partnership between our countries.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military support his Department provides to protect (a) buildings owned by and (b) personnel working for civilian defence contractors.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Contractor buildings and personnel located within the Defence Estate are covered by the security arrangements of the site at which they are situated. Depending on the outputs of the site this may include the use of military support to provide the security arrangements. For those contractor buildings and personnel not based on the Defence Estate, the Minstry of Defence (MOD) do not provide military support. Defence has well established mandated security policies and processes to ensure Defence Industry security controls and measures meet with MODs risk appetite.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting a public inquiry into the 1994 Chinook Helicopter Crash on the Mull of Kintyre.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I want to extend my sympathies to the families of those killed in this tragic accident. Having lost personnel on operations myself, I know the pain that they feel.

We have received a pre-action protocol letter from the Chinook Justice Campaign and are considering our response. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions his Department has had with the families of people killed in the 1994 Chinook Helicopter Crash on the Mull of Kintyre.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died.

The Chinook Justice Campaign, who represent many of the families of the Mull of Kintyre accident, have indicated their intention to bring legal proceedings against the Ministry of Defence. Given this ongoing situation, I am unable to comment further.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when did the Armed Forces cease to offer gap year commissions.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 3 April 2025 to Question 41496 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of banning of weapons exports to Israel on the training of Israeli Defense Forces personnel in the UK.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Whilst both take into account international humanitarian law considerations, decisions to suspend certain export licences to Israel and the provision of UK training courses to Israel Defence Forces personnel are not directly linked.

There are fewer than five members of the IDF currently enrolled on non-combat academic courses in the UK.

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields. The Ministry of Defence’s provision of such assistance is currently considered on a case-by-case basis. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights, democracy and compliance with international humanitarian law.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2025 to Question 60125 on Armed Forces: Buildings, how many of those properties are in Fylde.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The information is not held in the format requested and could only be provided by retrieving and interrogating large amounts of data which could only be completed at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2025 to Question 60125 on Armed Forces: Buildings, whether there is a standard process for vetting (a) tenants or (b) leaseholders of Ministry of Defence properties.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Before a lease is granted to a third party, their financial and general reliability is investigated by Ministry of Defence (MOD) Officials, via references from banks and, where possible, from a previous landlord, solicitors, or via a professional background checking service.

In addition, as part of the vetting process for civilian sublet tenancies, the following checks are completed by a third party, Let Alliance, on behalf of MOD’s contractor, Pinnacle: the undertaking of an income, credit, a Right to Rent and Sanctions check and obtaining work references.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question (a) 59988 on Grumman E-2 Hawkeye: Procurement, (b) 59989 on Boeing E-7: Procurement, (c) 59990 on Boeing E-7: Procurement and (d) 59991 on Boeing E-7: Cost Effectiveness, tabled on 16 June 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I responded to the right hon. Member’s Questions 59990 and 59991 on 26 June 2025 and I will respond to Questions 59988 and 59989 shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage Commonwealth citizens to join the British Army.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Commonwealth citizens have long made a valued contribution to the British Army and continue to be an important part of its structure and capability. There is always a strong interest in joining the Army. This can result in thousands of applications being received, which must be managed against the Army’s annual limit of 1,000 Basic Training starts for Commonwealth applicants and the 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth citizens who can serve in each cap badge.

In August 2024, the Army re-opened the recruitment window, accepting applications from Commonwealth citizens sponsored by Serving personnel under the Recruit Bounty Scheme. This was limited to specific roles, including Musician, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, Royal Engineer Technician and Tradesman, and the Parachute Regiment. This initiative generated a high volume of applications from across the Commonwealth.

The recruitment of Commonwealth citizens is subject to regular review by the Army to ensure it remains aligned with operational requirements. At present, the Commonwealth recruiting pipeline is forecast to remain closed in the medium term due to the sheer volume of applications during the 2024-25 recruitment window, which Capita continue to process.

The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that Commonwealth personnel and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59412 on Government Departments: Reviews, if his Department will publish the line by line review of its spending conducted for the Spending Review 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Department is committed to meeting the 5% savings and efficiency target with Spending Review funding allocations agreed on this basis.

These funding allocations – informed by the findings of the zero-based review undertaken as part of the Spending Review – are the first step in a wider plan to finalise budgets for different projects and programmes, with any necessary savings decided through that process. The savings taken forward will be subject to the normal rigorous business planning processes, and in-year financial management.

The Defence Investment Plan will set out the details of the Department’s plans in the Autumn.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any training provided in the United Kingdom or by UK personnel to members of the Israel Defence Forces includes content aligned with the principles of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security; and what steps they have taken to ensure such training supports the prevention of gender-based violence.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. UK training courses promote British values, including respect for and adherence to human rights.

Fewer than ten Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel have been trained on non-combat military academic courses in the UK each year since 2020. The exact number of IDF personnel and which courses they are on is being withheld in order to protect personal information.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a mandatory Collective and Individual Training Objective in Command and Staff training for UK Defence, this includes training courses delivered to international defence students. The UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include both the theory and the practical application of IHL.

Likewise, the UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include Protection of Civilians (POC), both at the tactical and operational level. At the tactical level, UK Defence courses include mandatory judgmental training to ensure that a distinction is made between combatants and civilians. At the operational level, POC is integrated into both theoretical and scenario-based training. This is to ensure both UK and Overseas trainees know their responsibility for the application of the Law of Armed Conflict in subsequent operational deployments.

The Ministry of Defence aims to incorporate content aligned with the principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda into all its training, including UK training courses offered to international students.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any training provided by the United Kingdom to members of the Israel Defence Forces includes instructions in international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict; and what steps they have taken to ensure that that content is delivered and upheld.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. UK training courses promote British values, including respect for and adherence to human rights.

Fewer than ten Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel have been trained on non-combat military academic courses in the UK each year since 2020. The exact number of IDF personnel and which courses they are on is being withheld in order to protect personal information.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a mandatory Collective and Individual Training Objective in Command and Staff training for UK Defence, this includes training courses delivered to international defence students. The UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include both the theory and the practical application of IHL.

Likewise, the UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include Protection of Civilians (POC), both at the tactical and operational level. At the tactical level, UK Defence courses include mandatory judgmental training to ensure that a distinction is made between combatants and civilians. At the operational level, POC is integrated into both theoretical and scenario-based training. This is to ensure both UK and Overseas trainees know their responsibility for the application of the Law of Armed Conflict in subsequent operational deployments.

The Ministry of Defence aims to incorporate content aligned with the principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda into all its training, including UK training courses offered to international students.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether training provided by the UK to the Israel Defence Forces includes instruction on the protection of civilians in armed conflict; and what assessment they have made of how that training aligns with the commitments by the UK under international humanitarian law.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. UK training courses promote British values, including respect for and adherence to human rights.

Fewer than ten Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel have been trained on non-combat military academic courses in the UK each year since 2020. The exact number of IDF personnel and which courses they are on is being withheld in order to protect personal information.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a mandatory Collective and Individual Training Objective in Command and Staff training for UK Defence, this includes training courses delivered to international defence students. The UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include both the theory and the practical application of IHL.

Likewise, the UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include Protection of Civilians (POC), both at the tactical and operational level. At the tactical level, UK Defence courses include mandatory judgmental training to ensure that a distinction is made between combatants and civilians. At the operational level, POC is integrated into both theoretical and scenario-based training. This is to ensure both UK and Overseas trainees know their responsibility for the application of the Law of Armed Conflict in subsequent operational deployments.

The Ministry of Defence aims to incorporate content aligned with the principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda into all its training, including UK training courses offered to international students.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what training they have provided to members of the Israel Defence Forces in the United Kingdom since 2020; how many personnel received that training in each year; and what were the stated objectives of the training.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. UK training courses promote British values, including respect for and adherence to human rights.

Fewer than ten Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel have been trained on non-combat military academic courses in the UK each year since 2020. The exact number of IDF personnel and which courses they are on is being withheld in order to protect personal information.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a mandatory Collective and Individual Training Objective in Command and Staff training for UK Defence, this includes training courses delivered to international defence students. The UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include both the theory and the practical application of IHL.

Likewise, the UK training courses being provided to Israel Defence Forces personnel include Protection of Civilians (POC), both at the tactical and operational level. At the tactical level, UK Defence courses include mandatory judgmental training to ensure that a distinction is made between combatants and civilians. At the operational level, POC is integrated into both theoretical and scenario-based training. This is to ensure both UK and Overseas trainees know their responsibility for the application of the Law of Armed Conflict in subsequent operational deployments.

The Ministry of Defence aims to incorporate content aligned with the principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda into all its training, including UK training courses offered to international students.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56822 on Israel: Military Aid, how many Israel Defense Forces personnel have been trained by the UK armed forces in the last 12 months.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world.

Fewer than ten IDF personnel have been trained in non-combat military courses in the UK in the last 12 months.

These are strictly academic, longstanding courses which are open to many countries around the world.

Personnel from almost 50 different countries around the world will attend non-combat military courses in the UK in 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in how many service family accommodation homes the presence of asbestos has been reported in (a) Shropshire and (b) North Shropshire constituency in each year since 2020.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The first table details the number of reported instances of Asbestos in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the County of Shropshire since the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contract began in April 2022. Data prior to the start of the FDIS Contract is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

These instances have been reported by contractors carrying out works in SFA where Asbestos was found to be present.

The table below details the reports in the North Shropshire Constituency only:

Figures for the North Shropshire Constituency are included in the Shropshire County Figures.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 60122 on Armed Forces: Buildings, if he will list the locations of his Department's seven sites in Fylde constituency.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The location of the seven sites in Fylde constituency, managed by the Ministry of Defence, can be found below:

1. Blackpool Airport Air Traffic Control (ATC):
2. Poulton le Fylde ATC:
3. A building at Warton Aerodrome.
4. Warton Service Family Accommodation (SFA)
5. Warton ATC
6. Weeton Barracks.
7. Weeton Barracks SFA.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is reviewing the security arrangements at (a) RAF Lakenheath, (b) RAF Mildenhall and (c) other domestic military bases, in the context of the attack on RAF Brize Norton.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Immediate measures were put in place following the incident at RAF Brize Norton to enhance existing security arrangements and increase vigilance at all Defence sites, and we have also engaged with the US Visiting Forces. You will appreciate that we will not comment on the specifics of those arrangements. We have also directed a full review of security arrangements across all Defence sites and will continue to liaise with our US colleagues accordingly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what data his Department holds on the number of compensation payments awarded to families living in service family accommodation in (a) Shropshire and (b) North Shropshire constituency in each year since 2020.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The table below details the number of compensation payments awarded to families living in Service Family Accommodation within the County of Shropshire and North Shropshire constituency since 2022. It also identifies how much was awarded in compensation payments. Compensation payments are made to Service Personnel in certain circumstances, ranging from missed appointments to the loss of cooking facilities.

We are only able to answer the questions since the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contract began in April 2022. Data prior to the start of the FDIS Contract is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Please note that the North Shropshire Constituency figures are included within the Shropshire County Total figures.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was awarded in compensation payments to families living in service family accommodation in (a) Shropshire and (b) North Shropshire constituency in each year since 2020.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The table below details the number of compensation payments awarded to families living in Service Family Accommodation within the County of Shropshire and North Shropshire constituency since 2022. It also identifies how much was awarded in compensation payments. Compensation payments are made to Service Personnel in certain circumstances, ranging from missed appointments to the loss of cooking facilities.

We are only able to answer the questions since the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contract began in April 2022. Data prior to the start of the FDIS Contract is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Please note that the North Shropshire Constituency figures are included within the Shropshire County Total figures.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to improve the UK defence industrial base in (a) Shropshire and (b) the West Midlands.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The recent Strategic Defence Review and National Security Strategy have identified the need to grow and enhance resilience in our defence industrial base. The Defence Industrial Strategy will set out the full package of measures to make the UK a defence industrial superpower by 2035. This will include a new partnership with industry to realise defence’s potential as an engine for growth across all the nations and regions of the UK, including Shropshire and the West Midlands.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his German counterpart on the sale of 36 Eurofighters to Turkey.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Secretary of State for Defence regularly engages with his Eurofighter Partner Nation counterparts, including Germany. Discussions routinely cover an array of bilateral issues, as well as opportunities to support Türkiye to enhance their defence capabilities as a NATO partner.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 61499 on RAF Brize Norton: Security, which (a) agency or (b) organisation was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Air Force Police and Military Provost Guard Service are responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton. This is a part of the multilayered approach to security across the site.

The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues and the Defence Secretary has ordered that a full security review be conducted at pace, not only at Brize, but across the defence estate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the agreement signed between the British Armed Forces and the Israeli Defence Forces in December 2020 on strengthening military cooperation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK-Israel military cooperation agreement, which was signed in December 2020, incorporates a range of defence engagement activity, including defence education. I hope that the hon. Member will understand that it is not possible to release this agreement as it is held at a higher classification.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on the investigation into the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As per my statement on 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South-East. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the resumption of inquests into deaths at Loughgall in 1987.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As the Secretary of State has already said today in this House, he is working closely with the Northern Ireland Secretary on policy proposals in relation to the Legacy Act, including to ensure that we discharge our duty to Veterans.

We must find a way forward for the Armed Forces, and the wider NI community, who have been abandoned because of the previous Government’s failure to get this right.

The Legacy Act was found to be unlawful, was not supported by any of the main political parties in Northern Ireland and was built on false promises to our Veterans.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(viii) of Annex 1 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what the notification process will be for informing Mauritius about (a) non-United Kingdom and (b) non-United State of America that have been permitted (i) access, (iI) basing and (iii) overflight access to Diego Garcia; how his Department defines the term upon notification; whether notification should be provided before permitted vessels and aircrafts enter Diego Garcia; what details will be provided through the notification process; who in the Mauritian government will receive the notification; and whether those notifications will be confidential.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As Annex 1, paragraph 1(b)(viii) of the treaty confirms, the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to permit access, basing and overflight for non-United Kingdom and non-United States of America aircraft and vessels. Aircraft accessing Diego Garcia will maintain standard notification practices for flight information regions, which exist in the Indian Ocean flight information zone and other international flight information zones. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius about non-United Kingdom and non-United States of America aircraft and vessels through normal diplomatic channels. Notifications are confidential and will not include classified information.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(a) of Annex 1 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what the notification process will be for informing Mauritius about (a) overflight and (b) undersea access to the Chagos Islands beyond Diego Garcia for states operating with the United Kingdom or the United States of America; how his Department defines the term upon notification; whether notification should be provided before permitted vessels and aircrafts enter Diego Garcia; what details will be provided through the notification process; who in the Mauritian government will receive the notification; and whether those notifications will be confidential.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Aircraft accessing the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia will maintain standard notification practices for flight information regions, which exist in the Indian Ocean flight information zone and other international flight information zones. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius about undersea access for states operating with the United Kingdom or the United States of America through normal diplomatic channels. Notifications are confidential and will not include classified information.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the provision of military intelligence to Ukrainian forces.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US counterpart regarding our collective support to Ukraine’s armed forces in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

As the hon. Gentlemen will understand, we do not comment on Intelligence matters. However, we have always been clear that the UK will do everything we can to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position across all aspects of our support, particularly defence and security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, how many Hawk T1 aircraft are airworthy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There are currently thirteen Hawk T1 aircraft that are airworthy with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, with a further four aircraft being cycled through scheduled routine depth maintenance. Additional aircraft are held in storage in the sustainment fleet for future support to that forward fleet. We have sufficient airframes to ensure all Red Arrows tasking until 2030 as planned. The Strategic Defence Review committed to a cost-effective fast jet trainer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out what (a) technical and (b) management issues are causing the delay in the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft WT001 flight test programme; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the late-2025 in-service date is achieved.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Wedgetail programme has already completed three test flights and will continue to undertake comprehensive ground and flight tests throughout 2025 to achieve the approved In-Service Date.

Engagement continues with Boeing and the Ministry of Defence to ensure the In-Service Date is achieved.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what input other Government (i) departments and (ii) agencies will have into the export decisions of the new defence exports office.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) must coordinate with other Government Departments to achieve export goals. Inputs from other Government Departments will be critical to ensure success, from the views of Ambassadors, Trade teams and Defence Attaches in our overseas embassies to the export licensing community in the FCDO, MOD and other Government Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with NATO counterparts on Russian sanctions.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Sanctions are primarily an FCDO lead, but I can say that the UK and other NATO allies do all we can to shut down the funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

The UK has led action against Russia sanctioning over 2,500 Russian targets including over 280 shadow fleet vessels, and allied sanctions have deprived Russia of over $450 billion worth of funds for its war.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the defence investment plan.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan will be published this Autumn. For the very first time the Ministry of Defence’s Plan will cover the full scope of the defence programme, from people and operations to equipment and infrastructure, to ensure we can deliver the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2024 to Question 18148 on Lasers: Weapons, what progress he has made on developing (a) radio frequency directed energy weapons, (b) DragonFire laser and (c) other directed energy weapons for the protection of UK military bases on the (i) UK mainland and (ii) overseas.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Following the Strategic Defence Review, this Government has announced nearly £1 billion in further investment for Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), an example of how we will be at the leading edge of innovation and novel capabilities within NATO.

We recently completed a trial of a radio frequency DEW demonstrator with the British Army, successfully engaging and defeating drones. DragonFire continues to progress and a recent trial saw us fire +300 times, proving consistency and reliability, and included 30 drone defeats and firings in adverse weather conditions. These trials generate vital evidence and learning needed to improve and adapt these systems, and together with our investment will bring DEW systems into service quickly, protecting our Armed Forces.

DEW systems can be utilised for multiple military use cases. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific protection of military bases.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s written ministerial statement of 3 June 2025 on Machinery of Government: Cyber-security and Defence Exports HCWS679, and (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, if the new defence exports office will replace UK defence and security exports.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, improving exports is vital to national security and growth at home. We are creating a single Departmental lead through the transfer of responsibility for defence exports, comprising the majority of UK Defence and Security Exports, from the Department of Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. A new team under the National Armaments Director will drive forward export campaigns.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what role the National Armaments Director will have in (a) considering, (b) advising on and (c) deciding export licence applications.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the defence industry in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK Government, through the Strategic Defence Review will make defence an engine for growth ensuring that our defence spending boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across all nations and regions. This includes in Northern Ireland, where companies like Thales are at the forefront of both advanced manufacturing and our enduring support to Ukraine. In March, we announced a £1.6 billion deal to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine, whilst creating 200 new jobs in Northern Ireland. It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast. We are committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that we have a thriving defence sector which supports jobs, skills and growth in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times his Department has accepted in full the position of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s (a) findings and (b) recommendations on (i) issuing an apology and (ii) other forms of redress in the last 10 years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) strives to deliver a high quality of service to everyone we engage with, and we continually look to improve our current performance. We treat any complaint we receive with the utmost seriousness and attention.

Complaints referred to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) are reported annually in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts, and complaint outcomes, including recommended forms of redress, are considered in full by the Department.

The MOD does not hold a full record on whether partially upheld/fully upheld complaints have been accepted in full by the Department, nor is there a full record of what forms of redress have been accepted following a PHSO investigation into a complaint.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Mildenhall-based KC-135s were deployed in support of the US Operation Midnight Hammer.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the operational activity of other nations, including third party use of UK bases. The UK was not involved in Operation Midnight Hammer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US cancellation of orders for the Boeing E7 Wedgetail on (a) UK and (b) NATO intelligence-gathering capability.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with its procurement of E-7 Wedgetail in order to meet the national and NATO requirements for an Airborne Early Warning and Control capability which is interoperable with its allies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the procurement by the United States Air Force of the E2D Hawkeye aircraft on the intelligence-gathering capability of the (a) US and (b) NATO.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Procurement decisions by any other NATO nation are fully a matter for that nation. NATO standardisation ensures interoperability of other nations equipment with our own sovereign military capabilities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of defence budgets in the last 10 years.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The recent increase in defence spending is the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War.

The Government is firmly committed to increasing defence spending to reach 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and has set an ambition to reach 3%in the next Parliament, as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has also made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. This is a generational increase in defence and security spending, honouring our commitment to be a leader in NATO.

The Department publishes historic MOD spending in cash and real terms in its annual Departmental Resources publication.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many VALOUR support centres for veterans he plans to locate in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR are in development and further announcements, including on development funding, will be announced in due course. The first VALOUR pilot was launched on 26 June 2025, in partnership with Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire, and will help to develop a blueprint as VALOUR is rolled out across the country next year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23rd March 2023, whether he has taken steps to increase the interoperability of (a) communication, (b) armament systems and (c) other future Combat Air systems.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK remains committed to exploring interoperability between the Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) of the UK and France, which will form part of the wider combat air and multi-domain capabilities across Europe and NATO. The UK maintains a NATO-first approach to addressing interoperability. At the same time, the UK and France are working together to explore areas in which interoperability can be increased, such as communication and armaments systems. The UK and France are doing so through our military and industrial relationships, mutual sharing of technical roadmaps for missiles, and the FCAS Technology Development Cooperation mechanism, the second phase of which will focus on interoperability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with representatives from devolved administrations on the potential impact of extending the Armed Forces Covenant Duty to more policy areas.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

In developing policy to support putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, over 150 organisations, including representatives from the Devolved Administrations, have taken part in the Ministry of Defence’s roundtable discussions and workshops. This is part of an ongoing extensive research and engagement programme to identify areas for inclusion in the Covenant Duty extension where the Armed Forces community may experience disadvantage.

The UK Government will continue to work proactively with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments throughout the legislation process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Department uses non‑deterministic systems.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is exploiting AI across a broad spectrum of use cases from the frontline to the back office to make all parts of Defence more efficient and effective. This includes the use of 'non-deterministic' AI systems, such as Large Language Models, where they demonstrate operational benefit. Joint Service Publication 936 on Dependable AI provides a robust framework to address AI-related risks around human control and unpredictability as part of our existing risk management process. This ensures that our legal, ethical and safety obligations are always fulfilled for all AI use cases.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2025 to Question 31166 on Ministers: Aviation, whether the £4,282 figure includes officials accompanying Ministers.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

No, the £4,282 figure is for Ministers only.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increases to employers’ National Insurance contributions on the defence industry.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Dr Neil Hudson) to Question 38688 on 20 March 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he and (b) the Prime Minister are permitted to make use of the King's Helicopter Flight when not in use by the Royal Household.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

No. There is no arrangement for the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for Defence for use of the King's Helicopter Flight.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on issuing Armed Forces Pension Scheme Remediable Service Statements to all members who require one by 30 September 2025.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There are 34,917 Immediate Choice members in scope to receive a Remediable Service Statement (RSS), of which 13,066 have been issued as of 31 May 2025.

Of the 60,813 Active Member RSSs, 43,977 have been issued. The remaining 16,836 (27 per cent) are complex cases requiring manual intervention.

For the Deferred Member cohort, no RSSs have been issued, however, these will begin to arrive with members by September 2025.

If an RSS cannot be issued by September 2025, affected members will be notified in writing with an explanation, revised timelines, and further details published on GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will facilitate increased sittings of the Independent Panel to assess payments for LGBTQ+ veterans.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As of 23 June 2025, the FRS had made payments totalling £3.4 million to 69 applicants with life-limiting conditions or serious health concerns. We are now processing applications based on date received. The first payments were issued within 15 weeks of the scheme going live. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to ensuring all eligible veterans receive the recognition they deserve.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consideration his Department has given to the future security, sustainability and capacity of the supply chain for sonobuoys used by the Royal Air Force.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The RAF has a robust mechanism for procurement of sonobuoys but continues to investigate alternative options to ensure supply chain resilience.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of adjusting the cycle of procurement for SMEs so that Government contracts are issued throughout the year.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts are issued throughout the year and not just at a specific time of the year. The Acquisition pipeline for the MOD was being published twice per year and indicated the anticipated date for publication of the tenders across the next 18+ months.

The Department currently publishes an 18 month forward look of our procurement pipeline but will move to continuous updates for the benefit of suppliers (including SMEs) registered on the Central Digital Platform.

Consideration of SMEs is a key element in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy and, as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we will reform the MOD procurement and acquisition processes to ensure we deliver the capabilities defence requires now and in the future.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June to Question 60125 on Armed Forces: Buildings, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing formal (a) criteria and (b) guidelines for leasing its properties to third parties.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has formal criteria and guidelines for the leasing of properties to third parties.

Criteria and guidelines for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) leased to non-military personnel is set out in the MOD’s contract with Pinnacle Service Families. A separate process is in place for SFA that is utilised under the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

The remaining leases criteria and guidelines are set out in Joint Service Publication 850.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's methodological definition of resilience and security spending is under the new 5 percent defence spending target.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government defines defence and national security spending in line with NATO's definition. NATO's definition of defence and security related expenditure includes areas such as strengthening the defence industrial base and our energy security, enhancing civil preparedness and resilience, and countering hybrid treats.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the RAF Voyager fleet are airworthy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All Voyager aircraft are certified as airworthy. However, the serviceability of the fleet varies daily due to routine maintenance schedules. For reasons of operational security, specific details about the serviceability of Voyager aircraft are not publicly disclosed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 58044 on Strategic Defence Review, which Parliamentarians who are not members of the Government were (a) offered and (b) took up the offer of access to the Strategic Defence Review before 5pm on 2 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews. At no point did stakeholders receive any commercially sensitive information ahead of publication.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if UK defence intelligence will analyse the reported drone attack on the vessel Conscience in international waters to determine the identity of the actors involved.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I hope the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the Department does not routinely disclose precise details of intelligence analysis concerning specific incidents.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to enter into an association agreement with the EU on (a) UK participation in (i) the European Defence Agency, (ii) the European Defence Fund and (iii) Permanent Structured Cooperation and (b) other defence matters.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As agreed in the Security and Defence Partnership, the EU and UK will regularly exchange on defence initiatives.

Implementation discussions will begin shortly, exploring the possibility of establishing an Administrative Arrangement between the UK and the European Defence Agency, as well as cooperation in individual PESCO projects. Currently participation in the European Defence Fund (EDF) is open only to industry located in European Union Member States and those members of the European Economic Area associated with the EDF (Norway).

Any UK commitment – financial or otherwise – will ensure value for taxpayers and support defence goals.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanating from Diego Garcia under Paragraph 1 (b) (i) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025).

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, once it has entered into force, does not require prior notification and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(i) of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanating from Diego Garcia.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, once it has entered into force, does not require prior notification and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56305 on Strategic Defence Review, which think tanks were (a) offered and (b) took up the offer of access to the Strategic Defence Review before 5pm on 2nd June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews. At no point did stakeholders receive any commercially sensitive information ahead of publication.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], which representatives from (a) the UK and (b) Mauritius will decide on authorisations permitting the presence of (i) non-United Kingdom, (ii) non-United States or (iii) non-Mauritian security forces on the Base.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 June 2025, to Question 57307.

Annex 1, Clause 3 does not apply to the base on Diego Garcia.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what assessment he has made of the potential impact of advising Mauritius on the location of UK equipment on the Base on operational security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 June 2025, to Question 57307.

There is no requirement to advise Mauritius on the location of equipment on Diego Garcia.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has provided military assistance to Israel since March 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has provided military assistance to Israel since March 2025 for the sole purpose of rescuing hostages in Gaza.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help support (a) UK and (b) allied operations aimed at disrupting cocaine trafficking networks operating (i) through Venezuela and (ii) in the wider Caribbean region.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 February 2025 to Question 26446. A Royal Navy ship maintains a persistent presence in the Caribbean Sea where it contributes to regional security through the conduct of counter-illicit trafficking operations.

Defence maintains close relationships with independent states throughout the region and works in partnership with Canada, France, the Netherlands and the United States to align and conduct joint activity.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], if he will outline how the Agreement will ensure the long-term (a) secure and (b) effective operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Treaty means that the UK will retain full operational control over Diego Garcia, and there are robust security provisions in place for the base and the rest of the Chagos Archipelago. Mauritius is committed to uphold the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base, and there is a binding obligation on them not to undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the base.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department has advised senior military officers not to speak on the record at events where a Minister is present; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that guidance on (a) levels of transparency and (b) public awareness of the vision of the armed forces for the future, in the context of the Spending Review 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This is not true. Recently, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker spoke on the record, and live on Sky Television at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on the same day as the Secretary of State for Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 10, Clause 1 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what are the requirements for Mauritian companies to be selected to contract services on the Base.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Future contracts falling under Article 10 of the treaty shall be subject to normal scrutiny and award processes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2025 to Question 52287 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, what the emerging technologies are.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy continues to work collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to investigate the potential for fixed wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) to enhance the strike capabilities of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

ACPs provide the opportunity to generate additional combat mass, improve operational persistence, and offer more choice to the operational commander by reducing risk to life. The physical ability for ACPs to operate from the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers is an essential attribute to enable their deployment by the Royal Navy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 57297 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what the total cost to his Department’s budget in the latest spending review arising from the Chagos Treaty is; and if he will provide a breakdown of that cost in each year of the Spending Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Government has acted to secure our national interest, strengthen our national security, and to protect the British people.

As set out by the Secretary of State in his statement, this is at a cost of less than 0.2% of the annual defence budget.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of UK participation in EU defence industrial programmes on (a) the AUKUS agreement and (b) other existing defence procurement partnerships.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As the Strategic Defence Review recognised, international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The UK remains firmly committed to the AUKUS partnership and is working closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations. The new Security and Defence Partnership with the EU is complementary to our existing work and the full range of our defence partnerships.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any UK (a) military assets and (b) personnel have offered support to Israel to defend it from attacks by Iran since 12 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has not participated in military action in the defence of Israel since 13 June 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any UK (a) military assets and (b) personnel offered support to the attacks by Israel on Iran that commenced on 12 June 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK did not participate in the actions of Israel on 13 June 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to announce the appointment of the National Armaments Director, and when they expect the director to take up the role.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

An announcement on the appointment of the National Armaments Director will be made in due course once the necessary recruitment processes and relevant approvals have been finalised.

The successful candidate will take up the role after the appropriate notice period from their previous employer has been served.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken for LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payments to be (a) processed and (b) distributed.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had received 1,067 applications and 44 Veterans had received payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved; we envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are completed

Defence fully recognises the importance of delivering LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payments in a timely manner and is taking specific steps to reduce the time taken for both processing and distribution. Clear guidance has been published to help applicants understand the process, and we appreciate their patience as we work to deliver this important recognition fairly and responsibly.

To reduce processing times, we are working to streamline and automate administrative processes where possible. We are also improving coordination across Defence to retrieve supporting evidence more efficiently, ensuring applications are reviewed thoroughly but without unnecessary delays. While processing times vary depending on the complexity of cases and the evidence required, we are committed to handling applications as quickly as possible. To speed up distribution, the Department is reviewing payment systems to ensure that once applications are approved, payments are issued promptly and efficiently.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average (a) age and (b) condition ratings are for (i) all Ministry of Defence-managed residential properties and (ii) Ministry of Defence-managed residential properties in Fylde constituency.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The average age of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) can be found in the table below:

The Government's Decent Homes Standard is the current benchmark for SFA condition used by the Ministry of Defence. This standard is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Subsequently, the condition ratings for SFA will be revised in line with any new recommendations.

The average condition ratings for SLA can be found in the table below:

*The information concerning the condition grading is only held for 46% of sites with SLA.

All existing SLA within Weeton Barracks were built in 1985. A condition grading inspection for Weeton Barracks is currently underway and there are three new SLA blocks currently being constructed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on (a) maintenance and (b) refurbishment of properties it manages in Fylde constituency in the last three years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Department has spent £22.38 million on maintenance and refurbishment of Service Family Accommodation and £1.8 million on Single Living Accommodation in the Fylde constituency, since 2022.

The figures provided do not include the core maintenance costs of the Future Defence Infrastructure Services Accommodation contract as we are unable to break the costs down by constituency.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the announcement by Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia that they intend to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel mines; and whether they intend to consider withdrawal as well.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

His Majesty’s Government (HMG) has noted that Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have stated their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. The UK acknowledges and shares concerns about the security environment in the region as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We also acknowledge that it is the sovereign right of those countries to make this decision. The UK will work to mitigate impacts on vital arms control and disarmament norms, while continuing to engage bilaterally on the actions States plan to take.

The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. As a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK’s commitment to it remains unwavering. We continue to encourage countries to join the Ottawa Convention, subscribe to its provisions; and discourage States from using anti-personnel landmines.

HMG continues to publicly express its commitment to the Ottawa Convention, most recently by Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Baroness Chapman, at a House of Lords debate on Landmines and Cluster Munitions on 3 April 2025 (Official Report vol 845, column 425).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ministry of Defence managed properties there are in Fylde constituency; and what proportion of those are (a) residential, (b) commercial, and (c) operational.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Ministry of Defence manage seven sites in the Fylde constituency.

Of these, three are operational, two are residential, one is commercial and operational, and one is residential, commercial and operational.

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Found: We would recommend closer partnership working between the MoD and other partners to fully realise opportunities

Found: A coordinated strategy between UKSA and MOD to share costs and technology development would have been

Found: Spending Review and the Ministry of Defence’s Strategic Defence Review have been concluded, DSIT, MoD

Found: The MOD provides roughly 50% of the UK’s funding to the sector and is becoming increasingly aware of

Found: It also enables planners at the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and their US counterparts to test how

Found: That applies both to how they are used in the UK, on the MOD estate, and to how they are then used

Found: That applies both to how they are used in the UK, on the MOD estate, and to how they are then used

Found: The second example in the UK was the Supreme Court case of Al-Waheed against the Ministry of Defence

Found: Q155 Chair: The Ministry of Defence has not always had a great record at delivering on budget, on time

Found: THE HOUSE OF LORDS The Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP Chair of the Business and Trade Committee MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Found: Baroness Buscombe: If it makes you feel any better, I remember a Ministry of Defence debate in about

Found: Science and Policy and been on various committees—I also spent eight years on one of the boards of the MoD

Found: I was on secondment from the Pentagon to the Ministry of Defence.

Found: It also says that that will come from FCDO and MOD.

Found: We need anchor customers; it would be absolutely fantastic if the MoD could come in and say, “Yes,

Found: I was on secondment from the Pentagon to the Ministry of Defence.

Found: Mod Law Rev. 3 Yaqub N. 2022.

Found: issue, because it cannot be right that our only approach to defence and security is through giving the MoD

Found: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence, and Council for Reserve Forces' and Cadets

Found: I worked in the Ministry of Defence for most of my career, and I had the honour to serve a large number

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether his Department's review of export licensing policy will include the UK’s (a) participation in, (b) its interpretation of and (c) approach to (i) international treaties and (ii) any other international law and agreements relevant to arms control.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether the review of export licensing policy will examine export controls relating to (a) sensitive technologies, (b) intangible transfers, (c) technological advancements and (d) the targeting end-uses and end-users of concern.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether (a) export licensing decisions will remain the responsibility of his Department and (b) the Export Control Joint Unit will continue to be based in his Department.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether his Department's review of export licensing policy will include an examination of the effectiveness of the Export Control Joint Unit.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will conduct the review of the export licensing policy; what the (a) planned timetable and (b) terms of reference of that review will be; and (i) which groups and organisations his Department plans to consult and (ii) whether there will be a public consultation.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, qwhther his Department's review of export licensing policy will include the (a) UK Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, (b) Export Control Act 2002 and (c) Export Control Order 2008.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Finland's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines; and what plans they have to change their own position.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

His Majesty's Government (HMG) has noted that Finland has stated its intention to withdraw. We also acknowledge its sovereign right to make this decision.

The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. As a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK's commitment to it remains unwavering. We promote universalisation and encourage all countries to join the Ottawa Convention and subscribe to its provisions, and we discourage States from using anti-personnel landmines. The UK continues to engage bilaterally with Finland to better understand the actions it may take following withdrawal.

HMG continues to express its commitment to the Ottawa Convention, most recently by Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Lord Coaker, in a Written Parliamentary Question, on 23 June 2025, in the House of Lords.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency proposed safety code for small vessels on microbusinesses.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on their new proposed safety code for small commercial vessels.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small commercial vessels.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 56762, on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, from which line of his Department’s budget the economic partnership with Mauritius will be resourced from.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 59107 on Defence: Finance, if he will specify the total financial quantum of the elements of the FCDO’s programming budget referred to.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s non-Official Development Assistance budget primarily funds operating costs, including the UK's diplomatic capability, 24/7 consular services and rapid crisis response to support British nationals worldwide. The settlement also supports the FCDO's priorities across security, growth, migration and the UK's relationship with Europe, alongside constitutional obligations to the Overseas Territories. A portion of this funding will contribute to the UK's NATO-attributed defence spending, including FCDO-led programming in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Community to counter cyber-attacks, election interference, disinformation and other threats to stability. The amount of the FCDO contribution is being worked though. It will not be included in the Defence budget for 2027.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 59107 on Defence: Finance, whether the elements of FCDO’s programming budget will be formally included in the defence budget for 2027.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s non-Official Development Assistance budget primarily funds operating costs, including the UK's diplomatic capability, 24/7 consular services and rapid crisis response to support British nationals worldwide. The settlement also supports the FCDO's priorities across security, growth, migration and the UK's relationship with Europe, alongside constitutional obligations to the Overseas Territories. A portion of this funding will contribute to the UK's NATO-attributed defence spending, including FCDO-led programming in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Community to counter cyber-attacks, election interference, disinformation and other threats to stability. The amount of the FCDO contribution is being worked though. It will not be included in the Defence budget for 2027.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) Universal Credit and (b) Universal Credit health element claimants are (i) current and (ii) previous members of the UK Armed Forces.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Data is not held on the total number of UC claimants who are currently serving in the Armed Forces or who have served in the past. Data is held on those who have identified themselves so far.

Therefore, data on Armed Forces status has only been recorded for a proportion of the UC claimants. Data coverage continues to improve over time and by September 2024 data was held on the armed forces status of approximately 77% of the GB UC caseload, as shown in the table below:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) started collecting data on the Armed Forces status of Universal Credit (UC) claimants in Great Britain (GB) in April 2021. At first only new claimants were asked about their Armed Forces status. From June 2021 onwards, other UC claimants reporting changes in their work and earnings have also been able to report their status. From July 2021 onwards, UC agents have also been able to record claimants’ Armed Forces status if they are told about this via other means such as journal messages, face-to-face meetings or by telephone.

It should be noted that Armed forces status is self-reported by claimants and is not verified by the Ministry of Defence or Office for Veterans’ Affairs. A claimant’s status can be recorded as “currently serving”, “served in the past”, “not served” or “prefer not to say”.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 5 June (HL6901), what specific criteria were applied, and by whom, to ensure that the gift of a sports club to the Royal Navy from the King of Bahrain did not compromise British independence in the region.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This Government takes the safeguarding of UK operational independence and sovereign interests extremely seriously. In the case of the sports facility generously gifted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence fully considered the offer and found no cause of concern. The facility is located within the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and remains under full UK operational control. It is intended solely for the welfare and morale of UK service personnel stationed in the region.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the (a) the Secretary of State for Defence and (b) Office for Veterans’ Affairs on the potential impact of welfare reform on former service personnel.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions and our mission-driven approach relies on regular cross-government collaboration. We are working across government to further consider the impacts of the Green Paper, including on veterans, and will continue to do so as the package is developed in detail. I will continue to engage closely with my Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders throughout the consultation period and beyond.

We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, and we will continue to engage with MoD and the OVA.

We have welcomed veterans and representative organisations to respond to our Green Paper consultation to share their views on how wounded, injured and sick veterans can best be supported. To promote further engagement, we held a specific consultation event for Armed Forces and veterans’ organisations, at which I spoke, to hear their experiences and thoughts directly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department had discussions with veterans' organisations in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire on the unique needs of veterans during the development of her proposed welfare reforms.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We welcome the views of veterans and representative organisations.

The Pathways to Work consultation invites people to share their views on the proposals set out in the Green Paper. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, from across the United Kingdom, to respond to the consultation setting out their thoughts and views on how wounded, injured and sick veterans can best be supported.

To further facilitate input, we held a specific consultation event for Armed Forces and veterans’ organisations to hear their experiences and thoughts directly.

As we develop proposals further, we will continue to consider the impacts of changes, including on veterans, as part of our wider consideration of responses to the Green Paper consultation. We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, and we will continue to engage with MoD and the OVA.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the adequacy of the amount of funding available for (a) diplomacy in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (b) defence in the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Both the MOD and FCDO have recently had future budgets confirmed through Spending Review 25, where Government priorities are considered in the round.

Whilst the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has seen ODA reductions, they have been funded to pursue a variety of programming ambitions, reforms, and operating costs.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) budget is growing by £10.9bn in real terms from 2023-24 to 2028-29 and provides the resources and capital necessary for MOD to start delivering on the vision for defence set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which was published on 2 June 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58713 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what proportion of the annual cost of the deal each year between 2025-2050 will be paid by (a) his department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The payments to Mauritius will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence. They will be published in the normal manner alongside other departmental spend in the annual accounts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on taking steps to keep the NHS data of serving military personnel confidential.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

My Rt. Hon. friends, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Secretary of State for Defence, are united in their commitment to ensuring serving military personnel receive excellent health services through the Defence Medical Services working in partnership with the National Health Service.

The Defence Medical Services provide primary healthcare for serving personnel. All serving personnel will have a Defence Health Record which records their healthcare through their military service, whether provided by the Defence Medical Services or the NHS. Serving personnel are provided with a medical care summary and a patient’s full Defence Health Record can be provided on request from their NHS general practitioner (GP).

There is an existing process for the transfer of healthcare information to the NHS when they leave the Armed Forces. A secure email gateway exists between the Ministry of Defence and NHS networks, permitting the secure transmission of email classified up to, and including, OFFICIAL SENSITIVE PERSONAL material.

To improve the transfer of healthcare information, the Defence Medical Services are working towards a greater interoperability with NHS systems and the electronic transfer of medical records from Defence Medical Services to NHS GPs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will support the establishment of an independent public inquiry into the UK's involvement in Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The government does not support the establishment of an independent public inquiry into the UK's involvement in Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023. The government has already set out the role of UK military operations in relation to Gaza. In support of ongoing hostage rescue activity, the Ministry of Defence has conducted surveillance flights over the eastern Mediterranean, including in airspace over Israel and Gaza. Surveillance aircraft are unarmed, do not have a combat role and have been tasked solely to locate hostages in order to uphold the government's primary responsibility: the security of its citizens.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 56763 on Chagosssians: Finance, from which line from his Department's budget the Chagossian Trust Fund will be resourced; when the implementation discussions will commence; what discussions he has had with his Mauritian counterparts on the Committee they are establishing to oversee the implementation of projects for the Chagos Archipelago; and what engagement he plans to have with the Chagossian community in Britain on the Trust Fund.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians and have worked to ensure the agreement reflects this. We will increase our support to Chagossians, including through the establishment of a £40 million trust fund. The UK Government regularly engages with Chagossian groups and representatives at both official and Ministerial levels. The Foreign Secretary and I met Chagossian groups on 22 May 2025. We continue to have regular dialogue with Mauritius on a range of Treaty-related issues including the Chagossian Trust Fund. We will not provide a running commentary on continued engagement. As we have previously stated the costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 57372 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what the costs to his Department were of the Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The payments to Mauritius will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence. They will be published in the normal manner alongside other departmental spend in the annual accounts.

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