Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a judicial review of a Minister's actions in relation to the use of Diego Garcia would be allowed under Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025].
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty is not capable of being a source of domestic rights or obligations save to the extent that in due course Parliament enacts provision for them.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the (a) financial accountability and (b) value for money of the E-7 Wedgetail programme; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of launching an independent review of the programme’s (i) management and (ii) expenditure.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Identified as part of the Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP), the Wedgetail programme is subject to regular reviews by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority who undertake regular assessment of the E-7 programme and report their findings at regular intervals through the GMPP.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
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 (a) future of the E7 Wedgetail programme and (b) interoperability between both nations.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence have continual engagement with the US regarding the E-7 programme, specifically through the trilateral agreement and working groups established in 2022. These focus on collaboration and interoperability as directed in a Joint Vison Statement signed in 2023.
As highlighted in the recent Strategic Defence Review, the E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft provide significant advantages in warfighting, such as more persistent deep strike options. Growth of the Royal Air Force Airborne Early Warning and Control capability was identified in the recent Strategic Defence Review, as advantageous to the UK and NATO.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question (a) 59988 on Grumman E-2 Hawkeye: Procurement, (b) 59989 on Boeing E-7: Procurement, (c) 59990 on Boeing E-7: Procurement and (d) 59991 on Boeing E-7: Cost Effectiveness, tabled on 16 June 2025.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I responded to the right hon. Member’s Questions 59990 and 59991 on 26 June 2025 and I will respond to Questions 59988 and 59989 shortly.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with Mauritius on its status as a state party to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty in relation to the operations of the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia comply with our obligations under applicable international law.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for appointing the UK members of the joint commission; whether the positions will be publicly advertised; what pay they will receive; and whether the Attorney General will ex officio be a member.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government will appoint members of the Joint Commission. These will likely be officials with related responsibilities from relevant departments. There will be no additional remuneration for fulfilling these duties.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, where meetings of the Joint Commission will be held; and what (a) travel and (b) accommodation budget he has planned for its UK-appointed members.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The management of the Joint Commission will be agreed between the Parties as part of the implementation of the Agreement.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made in the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role, announced on 25 October 2024, and what his timeline is for the appointment of a candidate to this position.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
An announcement on the outcome of the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role will be announced in due course.
Due to candidate confidentiality we are unable to confirm how many candidates are under consideration.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many candidates are under consideration for the National Armaments Director role.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
An announcement on the outcome of the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role will be announced in due course.
Due to candidate confidentiality we are unable to confirm how many candidates are under consideration.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent (a) trespass and (b) vandalism at (i) RAF Brize Norton and (ii) other Ministry of Defence sites designated as protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus.
Immediate measures were put in place following the incident to enhance existing security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton, with increased vigilance at all other sites. You will appreciate that we will not comment on the specifics of those arrangements. We have also directed a full review of security arrangements across all Defence sites. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.