Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet Office colleagues on publishing the Defence Investment Plan during a period of purdah.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as possible. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Once finalised, the DIP will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the appropriate Parliamentary procedures. As always, the Government will adhere to pre‑election period restrictions.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on publishing public policy documents during the purdah period.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as possible. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Once finalised, the DIP will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the appropriate Parliamentary procedures. As always, the Government will adhere to pre‑election period restrictions.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list all orders placed as Urgent Operational Requirements since 1 January 2026 in relation to the current Middle East operations.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is monitoring the threat posed to the UK and our interests, with the Urgent Capability Requirements process in place to rapidly deliver capability required by Operational Commanders. We are working with allies and industry to ensure that capabilities are delivered where required. Due to operational sensitivity, it is inappropriate to comment further.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department is forecast to spend from the Treasury Reserve on supporting operations in the Middle East in the (a) current and (b) next financial year.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Forecast spending remains subject to change as operational requirements develop.
Final allocations for the current and next financial years will be confirmed at the Supplementary Estimates, with outturn reported in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts in the usual way.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the use of the Treasury Reserve to fund Urgent Operational Requirement orders for munitions in relation to operations in the Middle East.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has access to the Special Reserve, meaning that the net additional cost of military operations will be funded by the Treasury.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what timetable her Department has set for the introduction of the proposed Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course. The fund will begin in the financial year 2026-27.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
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 11 December to Question 97538 on Flood Control: South Suffolk, when her Department plans to publish plans for the additional funding at Long Melford and Glemsford.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency (EA) has previously confirmed £50,000 of additional investment for Long Melford and Glemsford in December 2025, which was provided through other environmental funding. That £50,000 has now been fully spent.
The EA works to enhance upstream floodplains and improve wetlands have recently been completed and are expected to perform well.
The EA has also provided separate MP correspondence setting out project allocations elsewhere in the South Suffolk constituency for the coming financial year.
If further details are required the EA Area Director, Graham Verrier, would be happy to discuss this further.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March to Question 116530 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases, if he will list all treaties his Department has assessed that Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I know the hon. Gentleman will recall that the previous Government began the negotiations on BIOT and held rounds of negotiations. He may perhaps also recall the rationale given by Ministers then.
It is important that the UK Government is able to take legal advice in confidence. It would also not be prudent to set out all the possible litigation options for another State against the UK. We have already set out some possible routes to a legally binding judgment, and these have been discussed at length including in expert evidence given to the International Agreements Committee in June 2025.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February to Question 112837 on Navy: North Atlantic Ocean, how much money will be committed to testing and development in each remaining financial year of this Parliament.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan, when published, will set the funding envelope for this and we will publish it shortly.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 115508 on Strategic Defence Review, how many workshops have taken place involving MOD, DHSC and UK health services as of 10 March 2026.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Between February 2025 and 10 March 2026, there have been four multi-day workshops involving the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health and Social Care and UK health services to explore the UK’s ability to deal with casualties across a range of scenarios up to and including warfighting.