Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Type 83 Destroyers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the a) concept and b) assessment phases of the Future Air Dominance System are scheduled to commence.
Answer: The Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme is already in its Concept Phase, following approval of its Strategic Outline Case in 2025. The commencement of subsequent phases will be subject to future approvals in line with Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to integrate the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System into the a) digital targeting and b) maritime fighting web.
Answer: Ballistic missile early warning is a vital component of national defence, and the Government reaffirmed its commitment to this capability in the SDR, of which the Digital Targeting Web (DTW) will be a key element. Subject to the forthcoming Defence Invest...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123067More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in assessing the potential compatibility of the Aster missile with the Mk 41 vertical launch system.
Answer: The Royal Navy has announced its intention to become a Mk41 Navy, to ensure that future combatants have a versatile missile launcher capable of deploying both offensive and defensive missiles. The Navy is currently assessing a range of effector options, i...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLand Rover: Armoured Fighting VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123066More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeline is for phasing out the Land Rover from service.
Answer: As I recently confirmed at the Land Rover commemorative event in Bovington on 19 March 2026, the Light Mobility Vehicle programme aims to identify an enduring successor to the Land Rover, ensuring the Army’s continued operational effectiveness. The progra...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS DaringMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date is HMS Daring due to rejoin the fleet.
Answer: HMS DARING entered Extended Readiness in October 2017 and will return to the Fleet later this year following completion of material upgrades including the Power Improvement Project. The Ministry of Defence provides Royal Navy Surface Fleet readiness data ...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS DaringMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123064More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for how many days has HMS Daring been out of service since 2017.
Answer: HMS DARING entered Extended Readiness in October 2017 and will return to the Fleet later this year following completion of material upgrades including the Power Improvement Project. The Ministry of Defence provides Royal Navy Surface Fleet readiness data ...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNATO: HMS DragonMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123063More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to question 118993 on NATO: HMS Dragon, will the access to the special reserve, granted by the Chancellor to the Ministry of Defence, also be available to deploy capabiliti
Answer: All National Security Council endorsed operations are funded from the special reserve. We do not comment on the eligibility of special reserve funding for live operations.
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: RAF AkrotiriMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to question 120529 on Iran: RAF Akrotiri, what counter-UAS equipment does 2 Force Protection Wing have that is optimised to defeat one-way attack UAS.
Answer: You will appreciate the sensitivity of providing operational details that can be exploited by our adversaries. I refer you to the answer I gave on 18 March 2026 to Question 120529.
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Defence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is permitted to defeat crewed a) fixed-wing or b) rotary-wing platforms.
Answer: The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is designed primarily to counter incoming missiles and other immediate air or surface threats, with its employment governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Any use of the system against crewed fixed‑ or rotary‑wing...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRadar: Wind PowerMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123058More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled New radar systems to unlock offshore wind, published on 20 March 2026, which air defence radars have been purchased.
Answer: The contract will supply and integrate technologically advanced radar systems. I am withholding details of the specific air defence radar systems as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and the capability, security and effectiveness of the ...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: Armed ConflictMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122893More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the meeting of the Defence Working Group on 5 March 2026, what steps is he taking to fulfil the UK’s military deterrence obligations following the Islamic Republic of Iran’s actions that threaten the Ki
Answer: The UK remains committed to supporting Bahrain from Iran's indiscriminate attacks in any way we can. Since 12 March 2026, we have provided Defensive Counter Air support, enabled by the deployment of additional Typhoon aircraft to the region. The Ministry ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Conflict: IranCabinet OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122329More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 116964 on Armed Conflict: Iran, when the Government was informed.
Answer: In line with policy under successive administrations, the government does not routinely comment on operational matters.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS DuncanMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026, to Question 121200 on HMS Duncan, is HMS Duncan currently a) safe, b) capable, and c) endorsed for tasking.
Answer: For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not give detailed information on past or current levels of readiness for individual Royal Navy warships.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFirearms: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122327More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026 to Question 117963 on Firearms: Licensing, what steps are detailed in the action plan on how the three police forces intend to address the issues in the acceler
Answer: His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) issued an accelerated cause of concern notice to the Chief Constables of the three forces involved in the tripartite firearms licensing arrangement involving Bedfordshire ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIron and Steel: FurnacesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122326More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on transitioning the UK’s remaining blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces.
Answer: In March 2025 Jingye rejected an offer of substantial financial support to convert the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces. More recently we have been in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of British ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordJingye Group: ScunthorpeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122325More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Jingye on the timeline for converting the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces.
Answer: In March 2025 Jingye rejected an offer of substantial financial support to convert the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces. More recently we have been in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of British ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMayoral Revolving Growth FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason did Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority not qualify for the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund.
Answer: The Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund's place selection methodology is available online: Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund: policy statement - GOV.UK. This sets out that places were selected based on:their growth potential using Gross Domestic Product per head to...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined AuthorityDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement allocation for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was derived.
Answer: The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) does not receive the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which is made available to eight of England’s largest city regions. Other areas, including the CPCA, receive differe...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director: Redundancy PayMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current total remuneration of the National Armaments Director.
Answer: The total remuneration package for the National Armaments Director (NAD) is in line with the maximum advertised. The base salary for the role is currently £400,000. In addition, the NAD is also eligible for an annual performance award of up to 60% of base...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to HCWS1269, published on 22 January 2026, which individuals comprised the panel of experts with experience of noise and vibration chosen by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry.
Answer: An Independent Expert Panel Review of the programme is ongoing; it would therefore not be appropriate to comment on the individuals involved at this time.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122291More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which date was the decision taken to recommence testing of the Ajax vehicle platform.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessments have been conducted between Ajax and like-for-like competitor vehicles which could replace it; and which vehicles have been compared.
Answer: Our focus has been, and continues to be, ensuring that AJAX is safe for our soldiers to use. In considering the future of AJAX, several alternative platforms were assessed. I intend to update the House to outline next steps after Easter recess.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Merthyr TydfilMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the potential cancellation of the the Ajax programme and (b) levels of Ajax export contracts on levels of employment in Merthyr Tydfil.
Answer: The Armoured Cavalry Programme's contract has a range of remedies available including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate should its cancellation ever be necessary. While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory and fut...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date did the Army Safety Investigation Team investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm a) commence and b) conclude.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the outcome of the Army Safety Investigation Team investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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