Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7495 on Global Combat Air Programme, whether the Strategic Defence Review will consider whether the core programme will be piloted.

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

The Strategic Defence Review will guide future capability development priorities, to ensure the United Kingdom is secure at home and strong abroad - now and for the years to come.

The Global Combat Air Programme core aircraft is being designed to be crewed when it comes into service, but the programme sustains an important technological and industrial pathway to developing advanced uncrewed capabilities, allowing the programme to maximise the benefits of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence in a crewed aircraft as well as to explore options for uncrewed capability augmentation in the future.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) causes and (b) consequences of the recent road traffic incident in Estonia involving British armed forces personnel.

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

The safety and welfare of our personnel is of the utmost importance. An Estonian investigation is underway and it would be inappropriate to comment whilst inquiries are ongoing. In addition, as with all incidents of this nature, an internal review is being conducted in-theatre about further preventative measures to ensure the safety of our deployed personnel.

My thoughts are with all those affected, and I wish those injured a full, swift recovery.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the level of funding available for the New Medium Helicopter programme in the Strategic Defence Review.

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

The Strategic Defence Review will guide future capability development priorities, to ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad - now and for the years to come. The Reviewers will make their final report in the first half of 2025, and it is therefore only right that we do not prejudice the details of the review at this stage.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) Programme is an initiative to acquire a modern medium-lift support helicopter, addressing multiple rotary wing requirements to improve efficiency and operational flexibility. The NMH programme is part of a wider holistic approach on the MOD's use of rotary wing. The tender evaluation is now ongoing and is expected to complete in the first half of 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of the commercial service to bridge the availability gap for rotary capability in (a) Brunei and (b) Cyprus.

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

The Ministry of Defence signed a £122 million contract in 2024 to purchase six H-145 aircraft. These aircraft will replace the aging Puma aircraft to fulfil key capabilities in Cyprus and Brunei. A range of options are being explored to fill the capability gaps in the interim period before the arrival of H-145.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last issued instructions to his Department on the threshold for financial sign-off of new procurements; and what those instructions were.

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

We continue to review and spend on our priorities as part of normal financial management There have been a number of communications as part of departmental business to enable us to get a grip of defence spending. We are committed to securing value for money for taxpayers and cutting waste, for instance taking immediate action to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending in financial year 2024-25.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to assess the extent to which (a) aircrew and (b) other personnel were exposed to toxic fumes whilst operating (i) helicopters and (ii) other aircraft.

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

The Ministry of Defence is committed to the health and wellbeing of our people.

In response to concerns, the Department has previously conducted testing of the now out of service Sea King helicopter.

The Department is initiating the testing of the exhaust emissions of in-service helicopters to ensure we are meeting our duty of care for personnel. It is essential that we can assure our people of their safety at work.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has instructed Defence Equipment and Support to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.

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

We continue to review and spend on our priorities as part of normal financial management. Our approach applies to the whole Department and is not specific to Defence Equipment and Support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list meetings between his Department and relevant US stakeholders on the Chagos Islands since 5 July 2024.

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

Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office personnel have been engaging with counterparts in the US Department of Defense, the State Department and National Security Council multiple times each week since 5 July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Secretary of State for Defence in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during Oral Questions to the Ministry for Defence on 18 November 2024, for what reason he will not publish the cost of the Chagos settlement.

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

As confirmed in my response to the hon Member's oral question to me during urgent questions on 2 December 2024, he will know as a former Defence Minister, while the Ministry of Defence routinely discloses running costs for overseas bases and training areas it is long-standing policy, followed by successive Governments, that payments made by Government to Governments are not revealed.

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 cost of the new settlement with the Chagos Islands to the (a) UK and (b) US.

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

This historic agreement protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security.

The base is a joint UK-US facility and is an essential part of the UK-US defence relationship. Discussions between the Secretary of State and his US counterpart will continue to cover all aspects of the future operation of the base.

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 extending the operational lifespan of the Airbus H145 helicopter.

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

The Airbus Helicopters H145 is in service as a training helicopter called the Jupiter HT1. This helicopter type is contractor owned, under the rotary wing flying training contract which runs until 2033. It would be for the contractor to manage the operational lifespan of the Jupiter airframes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to commission a Women’s Veterans Strategy.

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

This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country, and I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all veterans get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve.

Women are a crucial part of the Armed Forces community, both through the value of their service and their contribution to society as veterans. We do not have any plans to commission a Women Veterans’ Strategy, however we will set out our plans in due course for all veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy, which will include a specific section on women.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he received the External Scrutiny Team Report 2024 into the Reserves as referred to in Section 113a of the Reserve Forces Act 1996; and whether he plans to publish his response.

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

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence received the External Scrutiny Team’s 2024 report on 29 July 2024. We are most grateful to the team for their work. The Ministry of Defence will place their 2024 report in the Library of the House in the next few weeks and will provide a substantive response to the report at the same time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Strategic Defence Review will be (a) delivered to Ministers and (b) made available to the public.

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

As previously announced by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons, the Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Defence in the Spring of 2025. The Secretary of State for Defence will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 16211 on National Grid: Costs of the Western and Eastern Links, whether (a) he and (b) Ofgem is able to provide the estimate requested.

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

The analysis of an onshore reinforcement (i.e. overhead pylons) for Western Green Link was conducted 16 years ago and cost estimates for alternative options are not available.

As the option of an onshore reinforcement for Eastern Green Link 1&2 did not meet the timeline for delivery, it was not progressed to the cost benefit analysis stage. As such, an estimate was not made for that option. Analysis of further stages of Eastern Green Link will be available in the future.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024, Official Report, columns 287-289, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of retiring 17 Puma helicopters on the UK's contribution to NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability programme.

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

The retirement of 17 Puma helicopters at the end of their current lifespan will not affect the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the potential operational implications are of retiring HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark in March 2025.

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

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally.

Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034.

The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

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 retirement of HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark on the capability of the armed forces.

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

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally.

Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034.

The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish his Department’s pathway for reaching 2.5% of GDP being spent on Defence; and whether he has made any changes to that timetable since 1 November.

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

As the Prime Minister has confirmed the path to spending 2.5% of GDP on Defence will be set out in spring 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of bus services in South Suffolk constituency.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce the Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in South Suffolk.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. Suffolk County Council has been allocated £8.7 million.

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 extending the operational lifespan of the Lockheed Martin UH-60 Black Hawk.

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

The Department has not assessed the potential merits of extending the operational lifespan of the Lockheed Martin UH-60 Black Hawk as the Department does not own any.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024, Official Report, columns 287-289, how many platforms his Department intends to procure through the New Medium Helicopter programme, in the context of his decision to decommission 17 Puma helicopters.

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

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his decision to retire (a) Chinook heavy transporter helicopters and (b) Puma helicopters on tender scoring for the New Medium Helicopter programme.

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

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme.

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

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's planned timetable is for announcing the award for the New Medium Helicopter contract.

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

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competitive tender.

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

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on increasing the number of exports of the Type (a) 26 and (b) 31 frigates.

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

The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business and Trade are actively supporting the promotion of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and Type 31 Arrowhead 140 designs to other navies around the world with similar requirements.

The Type 26 has been down selected as one of four options for the Norwegian Future Frigate competition.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department will continue to provide support for export campaigns for the Watchkeeper drone.

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

Yes. The Government will continue to support the export of Watchkeeper-X. This will support UK industry, growth and jobs whist also strengthening strategic defence relationship with partners and allies.

Found: James Cartlidge, the shadow Defence Secretary and former Minister for Defence Procurement, said the Opposition