Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards equipping UK armed forces with nuclear weapon capability additional to the submarine continuous at-sea deterrent.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The United Kingdom will purchase 12 F-35A aircraft and join NATO’s Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission. This is not a decision to acquire a second sovereign delivery system, and the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO DCA mission are United States nuclear weapons which remain under US custody and control.
The UK will continue to rely on its four nuclear deterrent submarines. A submarine based deterrent system has served the UK well for decades, providing the assured second-strike capability that is the foundation of the UK’s national security, and we expect a submarine-based approach will continue to offer a high level of capability.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of President Macron's announcement that he intends to make France's nuclear capability available to its European allies.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
At the 2025 UK-France Summit, and through the Northwood Declaration, His Majesty’s Government agreed concrete steps to further strengthen the United Kingdom’s nuclear co-operation with France. Both nations are resolved to deter threats against Europe. The UK's nuclear deterrent remains declared to the defence of NATO, and our collaboration with France strengthens our existing commitments to our Allies. We welcome the proposals set out by President Macron to co-operate more closely with Allies on nuclear issues.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 17 October (HL10809), whether they will now answer the question put, namely what progress they have made in providing the United Kingdom with the ability to deliver airborne nuclear weapons, and what is the projected timetable of such capability.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Further details on the delivery of defence capabilities and timelines will be published in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. This includes details relating to the acquisition of the 12 F-35A aircraft which the UK will contribute to NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in providing the United Kingdom with the ability to deliver airborne nuclear weapons, and what is the projected timetable of such capability.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The United Kingdom remains committed to its obligations under NATO's nuclear deterrence framework. Further details on the delivery of defence capabilities and timelines, including those announced in the Strategic Defence Review, will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are employed by (1) the Financial Reporting Council, and (2) the Competition and Markets Authority.
Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The latest available data is:
(1) The Financial Reporting Council – 459 staff – taken from 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts published 22 July 2025; and
(2) The Competition and Markets Authority – 1,112 staff – taken from CMA: workforce management information published 31 July 2025.