Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) has ever ben tasked with investigation of the potential effects of engine oil or lubricants seeping into the cabin air on passenger airliners.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Our priority is always the safety of passengers and crew, and we continue to work with industry and regulators to drive improvements in safety standards. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has investigated fume events on aircraft, including research into the sources of fumes and their potential effects, and raised safety recommendations to address the issue of potential incapacitation of flight crew from such fume events.

Fume and smoke events must be reported as part of the UK Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Regulation. Such reports are analysed by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) airworthiness department specialists to inform policy and the scientific literature on toxicology of fume events is under continuous review by colleagues in the CAA’s Medical Department.

The CAA website includes a detailed overview of the research that has been undertaken on the topic and the conclusions of a recent study commissioned by my department and undertaken by the Committee on Toxicity (COT). This found that the levels of chemical contaminants reviewed in aircraft cabin air are unlikely to cause adverse health effects following acute or long-term exposures. The CAA continues to monitor developments and remains receptive to any new peer-reviewed published research or technological innovation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research her Department has conducted into the potential effects of engine oil and lubricants leaking into the cabin air on passenger airliners.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Our priority is always the safety of passengers and crew, and we continue to work with industry and regulators to drive improvements in safety standards. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has investigated fume events on aircraft, including research into the sources of fumes and their potential effects, and raised safety recommendations to address the issue of potential incapacitation of flight crew from such fume events.

Fume and smoke events must be reported as part of the UK Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Regulation. Such reports are analysed by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) airworthiness department specialists to inform policy and the scientific literature on toxicology of fume events is under continuous review by colleagues in the CAA’s Medical Department.

The CAA website includes a detailed overview of the research that has been undertaken on the topic and the conclusions of a recent study commissioned by my department and undertaken by the Committee on Toxicity (COT). This found that the levels of chemical contaminants reviewed in aircraft cabin air are unlikely to cause adverse health effects following acute or long-term exposures. The CAA continues to monitor developments and remains receptive to any new peer-reviewed published research or technological innovation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first of the recently ordered 72 RCH 155mm artillery systems is due to achieve initial operational capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 platforms, having completed the necessary specialist training. As a minimum, the system will have an appropriate peacetime safety case to enable training on UK ranges, preparing the sub-unit for potential operational deployment.

The current acquisition cost for the RCH155 programme is estimated to exceed £1 billion. This figure comprises the £52 million Early Capability Demonstrator contract awarded in December 2025 in addition to the £53 million Long Lead Item contract let in March 2025, and the UK’s series production contract announced on 13 May 2026. The estimated Whole Life Cost of procuring and supporting a fleet of 72 RCH155 systems is expected to exceed £3 billion over the currently projected 25-year service life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the policy of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regarding the risk of potential leaks of engine oil or lubricants into the cockpit atmosphere of military aircraft.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulates military airworthiness risk within the policy framework set by the Secretary of State for Defence in the Health, Safety & Environmental Protection statement. The MAA’s Regulatory Articles and Defence Standards require that aircraft designs minimise the risk of cockpit or cabin air contamination by engine oil, lubricants, fuel vapours, or combustion products. Any residual risk must be managed within the aircraft’s safety case to ensure aircrew safety and operational capability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the definition of initial operating capability (IOC) for the recently ordered 155mm RCH artillery system and when this is likely to be achieved.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 platforms, having completed the necessary specialist training. As a minimum, the system will have an appropriate peacetime safety case to enable training on UK ranges, preparing the sub-unit for potential operational deployment.

The current acquisition cost for the RCH155 programme is estimated to exceed £1 billion. This figure comprises the £52 million Early Capability Demonstrator contract awarded in December 2025 in addition to the £53 million Long Lead Item contract let in March 2025, and the UK’s series production contract announced on 13 May 2026. The estimated Whole Life Cost of procuring and supporting a fleet of 72 RCH155 systems is expected to exceed £3 billion over the currently projected 25-year service life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total cost of the RCH 155m artillery system to the MoD in terms of a) acquisition cost and b) through-life cost.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 platforms, having completed the necessary specialist training. As a minimum, the system will have an appropriate peacetime safety case to enable training on UK ranges, preparing the sub-unit for potential operational deployment.

The current acquisition cost for the RCH155 programme is estimated to exceed £1 billion. This figure comprises the £52 million Early Capability Demonstrator contract awarded in December 2025 in addition to the £53 million Long Lead Item contract let in March 2025, and the UK’s series production contract announced on 13 May 2026. The estimated Whole Life Cost of procuring and supporting a fleet of 72 RCH155 systems is expected to exceed £3 billion over the currently projected 25-year service life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Iron Duke.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows:

• HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeks
• HMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeks
• HMS Richmond – £72.0 million – October 2017 - June 2020 –126 weeks.

These periods of planned deep maintenance were undertaken to sustain the ships’ operational capability and recertify the ships’ safety to operate in accordance with the Programme of Record (the ships’ sustainment) under the last government

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Lancaster.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows:

• HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeks
• HMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeks
• HMS Richmond – £72.0 million – October 2017 - June 2020 –126 weeks.

These periods of planned deep maintenance were undertaken to sustain the ships’ operational capability and recertify the ships’ safety to operate in accordance with the Programme of Record (the ships’ sustainment) under the last government

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Richmond.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows:

• HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeks
• HMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeks
• HMS Richmond – £72.0 million – October 2017 - June 2020 –126 weeks.

These periods of planned deep maintenance were undertaken to sustain the ships’ operational capability and recertify the ships’ safety to operate in accordance with the Programme of Record (the ships’ sustainment) under the last government

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of the proposed buy of additional F-35B aircraft, beyond the 48 originally ordered.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Spending decisions on future capabilities will be published as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for the Challenger 3.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Huntington on 22 December 2025 to Question 99970, good progress is being made on the Demonstration phase trials. Whilst the programme has been impacted by some delays within the supply chain, these trials will prove vehicle performance before manufacture timing is confirmed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current estimated IOC for HMS Achilles.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Achilles, the final vessel, is at an advanced stage of build at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.

As a former Defence Minister, I hope the right Hon. Gentleman will recall that the planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35B aircraft have now been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

48 have now been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Ministry of Defence.

Found: 16 (56.2%) Mr Paul Foster (Labour, South Ribble) (added 9 Feb 2026) 16 of 16 (100.0%) Mr Mark Francois

Found: Rt Hon Mark Francois MP 6. Charities President, Friends of Holy Trinity Church (Rayleigh).

Found: govuk-table__cell">Government Whips - Commons

Found: govuk-table__cell">Government Whips - Commons

Found: Rt Hon Mark Francois MP 6. Charities President, Friends of Holy Trinity Church (Rayleigh).

Found: Hammond’s wife is a governor of St Barnabas Church of England primary school (Belgravia)* Rt Hon Mark Francois

Found: Any other relevant interests Honorary Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford  The Rt Hon Mark Francois

Found: Any other relevant interests Visiting Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford The Rt Hon Mark Francois

Found: govuk-table__cell">Ministry of Defence