Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is timetable is for the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how many crew are required to staff the announced production of up to 12 submarines.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The SSNA Programme is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes determining crew numbers. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned.
The Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in the coming months.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when he plans to produce the first attack submarine.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The SSNA Programme is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes determining crew numbers. The aim is to deliver the first UK submarines into service in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has authorised any changes to the proposed timetable for the delivery of the multi-role strike ship since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS) programme is in the Concept Phase. It is funded from the Defence budget to enable the Royal Navy and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to conduct detailed preparatory work with intent to deliver first of class in 2033. The Programme will submit an Outline Business Case in late 2025 and is working closely with the UK shipbuilding industry and the National Shipbuilding Office to deliver best value for money for the Navy and the Nation.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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], whether any States, excluding the United States of America, will operate alongside the UK on the Diego Garcia military base.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Annex 1, paragraph 1 of the Treaty confirms that the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to control the deployment of any military, civilian and contract personnel to Diego Garcia. Annex 1, paragraph 3 of the Treaty states that for the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, states operating with the UK and US will also have unrestricted rights, save for overflight or undersea access which require prior notification to Mauritius. We will overall retain the ability to collaborate with our allies through the base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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], for what reason Mauritius requires notification of (a) maintenance and (b) upgrades to UK equipment on the base.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As stated in Annex 1, paragraph 1 of the Treaty, the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to authorise the installation, operation, and repair of new and existing systems on Diego Garcia, without the need to give notification. In respect of the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, Annex 1, paragraph 3 states that the UK shall have rights of access to maintain and upgrade equipment after notification to Mauritius. There is no requirement to seek permission in either scenario.
With the robust security provisions negotiated under this agreement, the UK maintains full operational control of the military base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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], whether permission will be required from Mauritius to (a) upgrade and (b) maintain equipment on the base.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As stated in Annex 1, paragraph 1 of the Treaty, the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to authorise the installation, operation, and repair of new and existing systems on Diego Garcia, without the need to give notification. In respect of the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, Annex 1, paragraph 3 states that the UK shall have rights of access to maintain and upgrade equipment after notification to Mauritius. There is no requirement to seek permission in either scenario.
With the robust security provisions negotiated under this agreement, the UK maintains full operational control of the military base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, what the agreed advanced timing is to inform Mauritius of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for informing Mauritius of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.