Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Hamas fighters they estimate have been killed since 7 October 2023; and what they estimate is the current size of their military force following likely recent recruitment.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not produce estimates on these figures.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to reduce the number of civilians employed by the Ministry of Defence to a specific number; and, if so, what progress is being made in achieving this.

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

In line with recommendations from the Strategic Defence Review, the MOD aims to reduce civil service costs by at least 10% by 2030. To achieve this, the Department is employing a range of workforce levers to facilitate a measured and sustainable approach to workforce reductions.

The MOD remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates on workforce matters through regular publications, including the Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the issuance process for export health certificates to British companies exporting natural animal health products to Bahrain and the wider Middle East in establishing a level playing field with international competitors in the region.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK and Bahrain enjoy a strong trading relationship, including in agri-food goods. Import conditions vary on the specific goods – and this is for each country to determine, according to its own biosecurity considerations. The Government’s Export Support Service provides information to exporters, including documentation typically needed by the importing nation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria the Defence Office for Small Business Growth will use to define (1) small businesses, and (2) small contracts.

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

The Ministry of Defence’s definition of a SME is aligned with that outlined in the Procurement Act 2023, namely they must have fewer than 250 staff, less than or equal to £44 million in annual turnover or a balance sheet total of less than or equal to £38 million, and independent of any larger parent organisation. We would consider small contracts to be those of a total contractual value of £1 million or less.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what restrictions, if any, were placed on the remit of the reviewers authoring the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was an external document. It was presented to the Department by the external reviewers, who were working to the Terms of Reference that the review be deliverable and affordable within the fiscal envelope available to Defence

The reviewers of the SDR were able to consider all aspects of Defence, with discretion to examine additional issues that arose during the Review. Their remit included established parameters such as the Government's commitment to the independent nuclear deterrent, NATO as the cornerstone of UK Defence, support for Ukraine, and the need to maintain defence ties with key regions.