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 1 (b), of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 Mat 2025, whether unrestricted ability to control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to fuels, weapons and hazardous materials, includes the (a) storage and (b) presence of nuclear weapons.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Having said the answer three times in the debate and subsequently in the chamber too, I am surprised the hon. Gentleman needs me to say this again but.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in the House of Commons on 28 January, column 959. It is longstanding UK policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to procure a replacement for the Hawk jet trainer from a British company.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
A plan to replace these aircraft will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. All elements of this work, including the aircraft replacement, are progressing together. All decisions on future procurements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
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 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, whether all individual capabilities that form Atlantic Bastion will be required to reach full operating capability in order to deliver Atlantic Bastion.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.
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 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, how many of the capabilities that will form Atlantic Bastion are (a) new and (b) currently in service.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.
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 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, if he will list the individual capabilities that form Atlantic Bastion.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.
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 19 December 2025 to Question 98834 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, whether Atlantic Bastion has a target delivery date.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the experimental stage of Atlantic Bastion to conclude.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Atlantic Bastion combines the latest autonomous and AI technologies with world-class warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid fighting force that will see ships, submarines, aircraft and uncrewed vessels connected. The scope of the capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion remains dependent on the Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has placed any restrictions on the number of reservist service days an individual can conduct in the current financial year.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made any changes to the number of reservist service days an individual can conduct in the current financial year.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.
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 reduction in reserve service days in the remainder of this financial year.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.