Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Air Force: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the capabilities of DARPA’s SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies (SPRINT) program X-76 aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
Answer: The UK Ministry of Defence has an ongoing relationship with DARPA, which ranges from information sharing to active collaboration on specific projects. No specific engagement has been undertaken on the SPRINT Programme, nor assessment of the X-76 demonstra...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Unmanned Marine SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy capabilities are planned to be supported by Maritime Remote and Autonomous Systems (MRAAS).
Answer: The Royal Navy is in a significant transition to a hybrid force with a mix of crewed and uncrewed systems operating in the air, surface and sub-surface environments.
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTaiwan and USA: NavyMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential vulnerability of (a) Taiwan and (b) the first and second island chain following the deployment of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okinawa to the Arabian Gulf
Answer: The MOD does not comment on assessments conducted on the military capabilities of other states for reasons of operational security.
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS DuncanMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121200More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the level of deployability of HMS Duncan prior to completion of its Power Improvement Project upgrade.
Answer: The Royal Navy manages the availability and readiness of its ships on a rolling basis, ensuring that vessels are deployed only when they are safe, capable, and endorsed for tasking.
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCriminal Investigation: International CooperationHome OfficeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121198More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her US counterpart on the Metropolitan Police’s Mutual Legal Assistance Request.
Answer: As a longstanding matter of Government policy, the Home Office can neither confirm nor deny whether a request for Mutual Legal Assistance has been made or received.This is to protect the integrity of criminal investigations and proceedings.
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPrisons: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of JusticeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2026 to Question 117955 on Prisons: Unmanned Air Systems, when will selected industry partners have developed proof-of-concept systems.
Answer: Industry partners are expected to complete their proof-of-concept systems by mid-summer 2026.
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Dedicated Schools GrantDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of local government reorganisation on the Dedicated Schools Grant allocation for Cambridgeshire with regards to SEND reform.
Answer: The department is exploring the implications of all local government reorganisation proposals, including those for Cambridgeshire. When decisions have been made, we will assess the impact of those plans on future dedicated schools grant allocations, and o...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: RAF AkrotiriMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the adequacy of 2 Force Protection Wing’s ORCUS counter-UAS equipment on preventing drone attacks on RAF Akrotiri.
Answer: While ORCUS+ is not optimised to defeat One-Way Attack UAS, it offers an enhanced ability to detect, track and identify, increasing a kinetic system’s ability to defeat but no system can be 100% effective. This is why our defences in the Eastern Mediterra...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026 to question 106075, what progress he has made on providing a full response.
Answer: An answer will be provided shortly.
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNATO Innovation FundMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK’s contribution is to the NATO Innovation Fund.
Answer: Following agreement by the Secretary of State for Defence and Chancellor the UK’s participation in the NATO Innovation Fund was announced on 30 June 2022. The fund invests in start-ups developing technology which fall into one of NATO’s defined EDT groups...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNational Security Strategic Investment FundDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding has been distributed from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund since 5 July 2024.
Answer: National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) invests in dual use companies across Quantum, Space, AI, and Emerging Technologies, on a range of cheque sizes, co-investing typically at Seed or Series A funding rounds. NSSIF tends to take a minority s...
Answered 20 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: North Atlantic OceanMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120449More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in delivering Atlantic Net.
Answer: The Royal Navy (RN) will be deploying new undersea warfare technology as part of Atlantic Net, a new initiative that will see the RN rapidly field and iterate undersea warfare technology in collaboration with a Commercial Mission Partner or Partners. The ...
Answered 20 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordType 45 Destroyers: Defence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120448More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Navy T45 Destroyers have been upgraded with Sea Ceptor CAMM.
Answer: Sea Ceptor is already in service on all Type 23 frigates and work is underway to introduce it onto the Type 45 Destroyers, as well as the new Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates. This expansion of Sea Ceptor will further strengthen local air defence capabilities...
Answered 10 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Defence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which directive within the Ministry of Defence authorises the use of the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS in a fully automated capacity.
Answer: As with all Armed Forces equipment capable of delivering lethal effect, the use of Phalanx is governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Internal directives relating to the use of weapons systems are operationally sensitive and are not disclosed.
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Defence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is authorised to use lethal force.
Answer: As with all Armed Forces equipment capable of delivering lethal effect, the use of Phalanx is governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Internal directives relating to the use of weapons systems are operationally sensitive and are not disclosed.
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSkycutter: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120426More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with Skycutter on the procurement of the Shrike 10 Fiber FPV drone.
Answer: The Department has no records of formal engagement with Skycutter on the procurement of the Shrike 10 Fiber FPV drone.
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ResearchMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120117More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in implementing Project SYNERGIA.
Answer: Project SYNERGIA has been implemented.As the project supports research and development activity for future Counter Uncrewed Aerial System capability, it will remain in use until a core capability has been procured.
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUSA: RAF AkrotiriMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120116More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026 to question 118315 on USA: RAF Akrotiri, what is the scope of the permissions the US have been granted to use RAF Akrotiri.
Answer: As the Defence Secretary previously stated, the UK has agreed to a US request for permission to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for specific defensive purposes to destroy Iranian missiles and launchers at source. For operational security reasons, we do ...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWarships: Antiship MissilesMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120115More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the level of risk posed by the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missile to Royal Navy ships.
Answer: As part of its routine responsibilities, the Royal Navy carries out comprehensive analyses of potential threats to its operations and assets. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments are no...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120114More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for approving MHC Block 2 of Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles.
Answer: The Royal Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme is being delivered in incremental blocks to ensure capability can be introduced and enhanced at pace. First of class Block 1 systems are entering service and undergoing operational evaluation. Appro...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: Armed ConflictMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120113More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the level of threat posed by China towards the first and second island chain following the reduction in US military magazine depth during Operation Epic Fury.
Answer: As part of its routine responsibilities, UK Defence conducts assessments of the military capabilities of other states including in the Indo-Pacific. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120112More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of adopting the Mk22 Advanced Sniper Rifle for the UK Armed Forces.
Answer: Work to consider the future sniper rifle for UK Armed Forces is currently in a pre-concept project, and as such formal consideration of systems and specifications has not yet taken place.
Answered 20 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRFA Lyme Bay: Mediterranean SeaMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120111More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the decision point for the deployment of RFA Lyme Bay to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Answer: RFA Lyme Bay has sailed from Gibraltar, available for maritime tasks in the region should they be required.
Answered 20 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: CambridgeshireDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120110More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026 to question 118316 on Special Educational Needs: Cambridgeshire, if she will publish the monthly data on Cambridgeshire’s education, health and care plan timeliness.
Answer: The department publishes information on the number of education, health and care (EHC) plans that are issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe. Excluding cases where exceptions apply, the number and percentage of plans issued within this timeframe fo...
Answered 10 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordForced MarriageHome OfficeTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120109More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2026, to question 117496 on Forced Marriage, by what date she plans to complete the additional study to explore the viability of the approach recommended by the Univ
Answer: Published in December 2025, the “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls” committed to conducting an additional study to explore the viability of the approach recommended by the University ...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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