Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date (a) was the last and (b) is the next meeting of the Honours and Awards Secretariat.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The UK Honours and awards system does not comprise a committee or administrative team known as the Honours and Awards Secretariat.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to support the Interpersonal Abuse and Violence Against Men and Boys (Strategy) Bill.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 29 April to Question 47887.

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 Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is she taking to proscribe the IRGC.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

I refer the Hon Member for Huntingdon to the answer I gave on 10 June in response to Question 57784.

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 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 53292 on Farms: Domestic Visits, if he will list (a) the 14 farms he has visited, (b) the size of each farm in acres, (c) the type of farming, (d) the constituency each farm is in and (e) the date each visit took place.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We respect the privacy of those hosting visits to farms and so are unable to share this information.

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 Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what evidence she will use to decide on the composition of unitary councils in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. The population size of 500,000 or more – as set out in the invitation and in the English Devolution White Paper – is a guiding principle, not a target. We understand that there should be flexibility, especially given our ambition to build out devolution and take account of housing growth, alongside Local Government Reorganisation, and have asked that all proposals, whether they are at the guided level, above it, or below it, should set out the rationale for the proposed approach clearly.

All proposals will be assessed against all the criteria in the invitation. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence. That evidence will include information provided by the councils as part of their proposals, representations received during the statutory consultation, and other relevant information available.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the minimum population size is that a unitary council can consist of within the local government reform framework.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. The population size of 500,000 or more – as set out in the invitation and in the English Devolution White Paper – is a guiding principle, not a target. We understand that there should be flexibility, especially given our ambition to build out devolution and take account of housing growth, alongside Local Government Reorganisation, and have asked that all proposals, whether they are at the guided level, above it, or below it, should set out the rationale for the proposed approach clearly.

All proposals will be assessed against all the criteria in the invitation. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence. That evidence will include information provided by the councils as part of their proposals, representations received during the statutory consultation, and other relevant information available.

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 Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the potential closure of MBR Acres in Wyton Cambridgeshire on the UK pharmaceutical industry.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government continues to support MBR as a vital part of the system, helping sustain a strong pharmaceutical sector and life sciences ecosystem, while also looking to reduce animal testing where scientifically viable. The Government is committed to supporting non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation, and adoption later this year.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure a gas supply at MBR Acres in Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is aware of concerns regarding the continuity of supply of LPG to MBR Acres in Wyton due to ongoing protests and the potential impact on the delivery of liquefied petroleum gas. We have and are continuing to engage cross-government as well as with LPG suppliers to ensure that lawful supply chains can continue to operate safely.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the date by which (a) doctrine and (b) training will need to have changed by in order to reflect the option of an air-launched tactical nuclear weapon.

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

Joining the NATO nuclear mission does not change the UK's Nuclear doctrine. Both the UK and NATO view the fundamental purposes of nuclear weapons to preserve peace, deter aggression, and prevent coercion.

UK training plans will also be informed by our NATO Allies already contributing to the mission. Further work is underway.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58350 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel and with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23 March 2023, what metrics are used to measure (a) progress and (b) the effectiveness of these policies.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 17 June to Question 58350. Further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps has he taken to ensure RAF Wyton force protection elements are equipped with an effective C-UAS capability.

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

Base security at RAF Wyton consists of professionally trained personnel from the Military Provost Guard Service, Ministry of Defence Guards and RAF Police, responsible for maintaining physical security across the site, and the Station works to reduce security risk to as low as reasonably possible. Service personnel are also held at readiness should the threat level be heightened, or a major incident declared. In addition to the sites well-guarded posture, it is encircled by a metal, razor wire topped, fence line which is patrolled. We also work closely with the local Cambridgeshire Constabulary and their Counter Terrorism Policing network. As the local MP, I know the team at RAF Wyton would welcome further visits from the hon. Gentleman.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on (a) oil prices and (b) the economy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year. We have not witnessed any material reduction of traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. DESNZ will continue monitoring closely for any future impacts.

The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many locations in the Defence Estate are currently guarded by the Military Provost Guard Service.

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

The Military Provost Guard Service brings a professional and permanent armed guarding presence that offers a cost-effective and mission-ready solution, while maintaining the integrity and security of Defence estates without overstretching operational forces.

While I am unable to comment on specific security arrangements, I can assure the hon. Member that we take the safety and security of our sites extremely seriously and ensure we have robust measures in place.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the assessment criteria is for applications for the Armed Forces Independence Payment.

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

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C.

An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.

Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD.

Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6694ff57ab418ab05559251a/Armed_Forces_Compensation_Scheme_statistics_6_April_2005_to_31_March_2024.pdf

There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.

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 23 March 2023, what steps he has taken to demonstrate the sequencing of a more persistent European carrier strike group presence in the Indo-Pacific.

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

The UK and France, along with Italy, have jointly sequenced aircraft carrier deployments, including coordinating the deployment of HMS Prince of Wales with France's Charles de Gaulle and Italy's Cavour, to strengthen European naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. This cooperation, part of broader initiatives like the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative, enhances regional security and strategic alignment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel were discharged after failing a Compulsory Drugs Test in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025 for which the latest data is available.

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

The requested information is provided in the table below. Please note that these figures are provided for internal use and not assured to the same level as official Defence Statistics.

*Latest figures for Royal Navy up to June 2025.

**Latest figures for the British Army up to June 2025. Note that Army figures include those that tested in the previous year but were discharged in the following year.

***Royal Air Force figures are up to and including 26 June 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applicants to the Armed Forces Independence Payment received the Personal Independence Payment whilst waiting for their application to be processed in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025.

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

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C.

An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.

Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD.

Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6694ff57ab418ab05559251a/Armed_Forces_Compensation_Scheme_statistics_6_April_2005_to_31_March_2024.pdf

There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have applied for the Armed Forces Independence Payment in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) to date in 2025.

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

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C.

An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.

Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD.

Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6694ff57ab418ab05559251a/Armed_Forces_Compensation_Scheme_statistics_6_April_2005_to_31_March_2024.pdf

There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether she is taking steps to procure an icebreaker ship to complement HMS Protector for future operations in the Atlantic Bastion.

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

As highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat from a modernising Russian submarine force. While an icebreaking capability does not form part of the Atlantic Bastion plan, the UK recognises the increasing strategic importance of the Arctic and High North. As such, future icebreaker capabilities are being considered to deliver the Strategic Defence Review vision, with all capability requirements considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, which will be completed in autumn 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the US government is required to seek permission from the UK in order to launch offensive military action from Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia under the UK-Mauritius Treaty.

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

Annex 1, paragraph 1(b)(i) of the treaty sets out that the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to control the conduct and deployment of armed operations. No permission is required as a result of this treaty, as US operations from Diego Garcia are governed by a separate Exchange of Notes between the UK and US.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the level of damage inflicted on the Iranian nuclear programme following the US strikes on (a) Fordow, (b) Natanz and (c) Isfahan.

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

It is long standing policy of this and the previous Government that we do not comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to recover the Royal Air Force F-35B stranded at Thiruvananthapuram civilian airport.

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

We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. Additional support is being provided by an engineering team deploying from the UK. The aircraft will be recovered once it is serviceable.

We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support. The safe landing, logistics and continuing organisational support provided by India in responding to this situation further demonstrates the close coordination and deepening relationship that exists between the Armed Forces of the UK and India.

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 incompatibility of F-35A fighters with Royal Air Force air-to-air refuelling capability on the intention to purchase F-35A fighters.

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

We have longstanding reciprocal arrangements to use allies Air-to-Air refuelling support when required, just as our Voyagers also support refuelling of other allies’ jets.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs in response to the question from the hon. Member for Bicester and Woodstock on 28 October 2024, Official Report, column 550, what her planned timeline is for (a) completing and (b) publishing the state threats review.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government is committed to responding to state threat activity in all its forms and we regularly review the tools and powers available to us.

That is why the Home Secretary commissioned the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism and State Threats Legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, to undertake a review to identify whether there are parts of our existing terrorism legislation which could usefully be emulated in the state threats context.

Following the publication of Mr Hall’s report on 19 May 2025, the Home Secretary committed to taking forward Mr Hall’s recommendations, including the creation of a new State Threats Proscription-like Tool. We will bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the British Army’s new Recce-Strike approach will come into effect.

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

In line with the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review, the Army will become ten times more lethal – Recce-Strike is a key element of this transformation, and sees a significant shift in how the Army prepares for and conducts warfare.

Fighting by Recce-Strike at every level is one element of how the British Army will fight and operate differently to achieve domain advantage over adversaries. Army’s Project ASGARD will enhance the Army’s ability to find (‘recce’) and destroy (‘strike’) enemy targets, and through Project WAVELL, the Army is adapting its structures, which combined with our modernisation programme, will align our capabilities to revise our approach set out in the Land Operating Concept.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61042 on Armed Forces: Firearms, when analysis into optimum levels of lethality in small teams will be (a) completed and (b) published.

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

Whilst I can confirm that a study into this area is being undertaken, I cannot provide any further details due to reasons of operational security and commercial sensitivity. As such, there are no current plans to publish the study upon completion.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the proposed F-35A fleet will be designated as Operational Conversion Units.

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

The number of F-35A aircraft allocated to the F-35 Operational Conversion Unit within 207 Squadron will vary and remain subject to ongoing operational planning.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in Huntingdon constituency will no longer qualify for the PIP daily living component under proposed changes to the qualifying criteria.

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

As I made clear in my statement to the House, Hansard, 1 July, col 219, any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, which I am leading, and which will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. The review is expected to conclude in autumn 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62328 on Unitary Councils, when will the statutory consultation period for proposed unitary councils in Cambridgeshire begin.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The exact timings and detail will depend on the proposals received. Our working assumption, however, is that following final proposals being submitted at the end of November, a consultation could be launched in early 2026, likely closing at some point after the May local elections.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what current air-to-air refuelling capability within the Royal Air Force will be used to refuel the new F-35A aircraft.

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

We have longstanding reciprocal arrangements to use allies Air-to-Air refuelling support when required, just as our Voyagers also support refuelling of other allies' jets. Future national air-to-air refuelling options will be considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, and in subsequent force development work.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the reclassification of the St Ives Staunch as a navigation, rather than a flooding, asset on the risk of flooding from the River Great Ouse in Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) have assessed a range of data and evidence linked to the St Ives Staunch Sluice. This has included hydraulic modelling and real-world data from flood events. The evidence shows that the asset provides very limited flood risk benefit but is important for maintaining water levels for navigation. The change in the primary purpose of the asset reflects this information.

The EA will carry out works to the asset to support Navigation in the area, within the next two years. They have also committed to providing regular updates to keep the community informed.

The reclassification has no impact on the amount of flood risk funding that the asset is eligible for, and the community can be reassured that the current condition of the asset does not have a significant impact on the risk of property flooding.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 61044 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, under what description in his Department's annual accounts will expenditure relating to the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025] be listed.

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

Any expenditure by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office relating the Diego Garcia Treaty between the UK and Mauritius would be recorded as Grant Expenditure in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The Government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if she will list her Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if she will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The Government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split, in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the suitability of the (a) substation connection and (b) grid capacity to support capacity of up to 4,500 homes at the MOD Trailblazer site at RAF Wyton.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Development proposals for new housing at Wyton Airfield are at an early stage and therefore no such assessments have yet been made. The Ministry of Defence and Homes England will work closely with relevant infrastructure providers as detailed proposals are developed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the pursuit of a (a) deployable and (b) persistent wide area anti-submarine warfare search capability.

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

Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO, as set out by the Strategic Defence Review. Navy Command is now focussed on delivering it. The first phase is now underway with industry engagement and associated commercial activity ongoing. This will see the Royal Navy integrate with commercial partners to provide elements of Anti-Submarine Warfare data collection through a service model that increases operational mass and persistence in targeted areas of the North Atlantic.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 63964 on India: F-35 Aircraft, how many personnel have been required to recover the F-35B from India; and what the cost to the public purse was for removing the wings and flying the plane back to the UK as cargo.

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

An engineering team of less than ten personnel has deployed from the UK with a spares package. We are developing options for recovering the aircraft with Air-to-Air refuelling support once the repairs are complete. All flights will be taken from the annual budgeted flying hours for the respective fleets and therefore come at no additional cost.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date (a) was the last and (b) is the next meeting of the Honours and Appointments Secretariat.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The UK Honours and awards system does not comprise a committee or administrative team known as the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which was the previous name of the Honours and Memorialisation Secretariat. This team holds weekly team meetings.

Equitable national prostate cancer screening

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to improve the air-to-air refuelling capabilities of the Royal Air Force.

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

I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to Question 63066 on 4 July 2025 to the hon member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Royal Air Force's air to air refuelling capability for F35As.

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

I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to Question 63066 on 4 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, what proportion of time the purchased F-35As will spend on (a) operations and (b) training.

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 Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 63065 on 2 July 2025.

Found: the additional officers will be determined by the local operational needs of each force.5 Ben Obese-Jecty

Found: Harriett Baldwin Tom Tugendhat Sarah Bool Wendy Morton Bob Blackman Lincoln Jopp Julia Lopez Ben Obese-Jecty

Found: you as the Minister for Border Security and Asylum with regards to a Point of Order raised by Ben Obese-Jecty