Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what video footage and imagery is held by his Department from RAF reconnaissance flights over Gaza on 31 March 2024; and whether his Department has any plans to publish or otherwise release any such material to the public.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.
In support of these efforts the Ministry of Defence (MOD) conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.
The UK Government strictly controlled what information was passed on and only information relating to hostage rescue was passed to the relevant Israeli authorities.
Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the MOD has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last fight took place on 10 October 2025.
We will not comment further on detail relating to intelligence matters to protect operational security and preserve the MOD’s ability to respond to future hostage incidents around the world.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what logistical or operational support RAF aircraft (a) are providing to Israel and (b) has provided over the last year.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The RAF is not providing logistical or operational support to Israel.
Over the last year, the RAF has not provided logistical support to Israel, however, following the terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped. In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023.
Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of all remaining live hostages, the MOD ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last flight took place on 10 October 2025.
You will understand that we will not comment further on detail relating to intelligence matters to protect operational security and preserve the MOD’s ability to respond to any future hostage incidents around the world.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2025 to Question 49938 on Nuclear Submarines: Safety, whether he plans to publish further information on those incidents.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Nuclear safety is of paramount importance and is a critical aspect of our commitments. As such, HMNB Clyde complies with international best practice as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Nuclear safety at these sites is independently overseen by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), who have robust powers to address concerns and recommend changes where necessary. These structures ensure that nuclear safety is treated with the seriousness that it requires. This becomes even more important as this Government affirms its cast iron commitment to the strategic deterrent as the bedrock of our defence.
With this in mind, the Secretary of State has authorised the annual release of the statistics on Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) for HMNB Clyde. NSERs are a means of classifying the significance of safety incidents with actual or potential impact and are recommended by the IAEA to ensure a robust safety culture that learns from experience. This information has previously been provided on request, but in recognition of the importance of the subject, this data will now be provided as a standing commitment to strengthen oversight and scrutiny.
I hope that the hon. Member will understand that releasing specific information for each NSER, when coupled with other information that may already be in the public domain through other means, would not only enable adversaries to make deductions about the operability, capability and effectiveness of the facilities and functions at HMNB Clyde, but would also provide invaluable information about submarine availability. Such information would prove extremely useful to hostile powers and groups in enabling them to target, disrupt and degrade the effectiveness of RN activities.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the volume of carbon dioxide emissions produced by the ceremonial activities associated with Trooping the Colour; and what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the environmental impact of state ceremonial events.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence does not record the volume of carbon dioxide emissions for individual events. However, the Department is committed to reducing carbon emissions and operate sustainably where practical with no compromise to national security.
The troops involved in Trooping the Colour marched from barracks in the immediate vicinity of the parade.
For the aircraft participating in the King's Birthday Flypast the RAF continues to lead the way in operating more sustainably as part of Defence's commitment to reduce carbon emissions. For this flypast, jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team were powered with a high-ratio blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This is thought to be the first time anywhere in the world that a national aerobatic squadron has switched to both a SAF blend for propulsion and a renewable biofuel, known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to produce its trademark vapour trails.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to accept people with dietary allergies into the armed forces.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Department is assessing current policies and identifying those which obstruct individuals from joining the Armed Forces. It is essential that new entrants to the Armed Forces are medically fit to meet the various challenges of Service life and the roles in which they will be expected to deploy.
Candidates with mild or moderate allergies are currently able to join the Armed Forces providing they meet certain criteria. Candidates with severe symptoms, including anaphylaxis and those who require an adrenaline auto-injector, are currently unable to join the Armed Forces as it is not possible to guarantee avoidance of allergen cross-contamination throughout a Service career, especially when on operations, or rapid access to life-saving treatment.
If an application is rejected on medical grounds, a candidate can appeal the decision with additional medical information. There is also an executive waiver process where the employing Service may, exceptionally, recruit someone who is below the normal entry standards.