Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the remaining lifespan of each RAF Chinook airframe in service.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service.
I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF Chinook (a) HC5, (b) HC6 and (c) HC6A variants are in service.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service.
I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 37 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing an autonomous mine-hunting capability.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operational effectiveness. These cutting-edge autonomous mine-hunting systems are deployed by the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group for evaluation, training, and operational deployment.
The comprehensive scope of the MHC programme encompasses multiple USVs, UUVs, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for identification and neutralisation, and a state-of-the-art, sovereign mine-sweeping capability. Additionally, the programme has delivered HMS STIRLING CASTLE, a dedicated support vessel designed to enhance the deployment and sustainment of autonomous systems.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what maritime autonomous systems are within the scope of the Mine Hunting Capability programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operational effectiveness. These cutting-edge autonomous mine-hunting systems are deployed by the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group for evaluation, training, and operational deployment.
The comprehensive scope of the MHC programme encompasses multiple USVs, UUVs, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for identification and neutralisation, and a state-of-the-art, sovereign mine-sweeping capability. Additionally, the programme has delivered HMS STIRLING CASTLE, a dedicated support vessel designed to enhance the deployment and sustainment of autonomous systems.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on implementing the Mine Hunting Capability programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operational effectiveness. These cutting-edge autonomous mine-hunting systems are deployed by the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group for evaluation, training, and operational deployment.
The comprehensive scope of the MHC programme encompasses multiple USVs, UUVs, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for identification and neutralisation, and a state-of-the-art, sovereign mine-sweeping capability. Additionally, the programme has delivered HMS STIRLING CASTLE, a dedicated support vessel designed to enhance the deployment and sustainment of autonomous systems.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) relief and (b) a discounted rate for small art galleries following the increase in anti-money laundering supervision fees.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Economic crime presents a substantial threat to UK security and stability, and anti money laundering supervisors have an important role to play to ensure that supervised businesses understand and manage the risks to which they are exposed. HM Revenue & Customs supervises art market participantsalongside businesses in several other sectors.
It is policy of this, and previous Governments, that the cost of supervision should be met by supervised businesses and not through general taxation. HMRC has recently published its intention to increase some of the fees that itcharges for supervision to ensure that it has the income it needs to meet its obligations as a supervisor. HMRC is considering comments from businesses and trade bodies and will publish its next steps shortly. The Money Laundering Regulations apply only to sales of art exceeding the equivalent of €10,000 in value, which excludes 80% of businesses in the sector. HMRC hasconsidered the impact of the proposed fee increases on businesses against its needs as a supervisor and intends to minimise impact on supervised businesses, especially the vast majority who trade from a single premises.
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the flat rate anti-money laundering supervision fee regime on small art galleries.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Economic crime presents a substantial threat to UK security and stability, and anti money laundering supervisors have an important role to play to ensure that supervised businesses understand and manage the risks to which they are exposed. HM Revenue & Customs supervises art market participantsalongside businesses in several other sectors.
It is policy of this, and previous Governments, that the cost of supervision should be met by supervised businesses and not through general taxation. HMRC has recently published its intention to increase some of the fees that itcharges for supervision to ensure that it has the income it needs to meet its obligations as a supervisor. HMRC is considering comments from businesses and trade bodies and will publish its next steps shortly. The Money Laundering Regulations apply only to sales of art exceeding the equivalent of €10,000 in value, which excludes 80% of businesses in the sector. HMRC hasconsidered the impact of the proposed fee increases on businesses against its needs as a supervisor and intends to minimise impact on supervised businesses, especially the vast majority who trade from a single premises.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 September (HL10442), whether the Government Art Collection holds or plans to hold any contractual or licensing rights over digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain; and if so, what is the legal basis for those licences.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Art Collection (GAC) does not claim copyright in digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain. The GAC has not sought or received guidance about the assertion of copyright, aside from Crown Copyright. The decision to license images for commercial and non-commercial use through a contractual agreement is an operational decision taken by the GAC, based on commercial contract law for the access and supply of digital assets.
There are no current or scheduled plans for the GAC to allow high-resolution images of works of art that are in the Government Art Collection and in the public domain to be downloaded free of charge for non-commercial use.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 September (HL10444), whether they plan to allow high-resolution images of works of art that are in the Government Art Collection and in the public domain to be downloaded free of charge for non-commercial use; and if so, what is their timetable for implementing that access.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Art Collection (GAC) does not claim copyright in digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain. The GAC has not sought or received guidance about the assertion of copyright, aside from Crown Copyright. The decision to license images for commercial and non-commercial use through a contractual agreement is an operational decision taken by the GAC, based on commercial contract law for the access and supply of digital assets.
There are no current or scheduled plans for the GAC to allow high-resolution images of works of art that are in the Government Art Collection and in the public domain to be downloaded free of charge for non-commercial use.
Asked by: Lord Freyberg (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 September (HL10442), what guidance they have issued to the Government Art Collection about the assertion of copyright, other than Crown Copyright, over digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government Art Collection (GAC) does not claim copyright in digital reproductions of two-dimensional artworks that are in the public domain. The GAC has not sought or received guidance about the assertion of copyright, aside from Crown Copyright. The decision to license images for commercial and non-commercial use through a contractual agreement is an operational decision taken by the GAC, based on commercial contract law for the access and supply of digital assets.
There are no current or scheduled plans for the GAC to allow high-resolution images of works of art that are in the Government Art Collection and in the public domain to be downloaded free of charge for non-commercial use.