Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
F-35 Aircraft: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the difference in capability is between the GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II and SPEAR 3.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase of the GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) as an interim stand-off weapon for the F-35B, intended to bridge the capability gap until the UK-developed SPEAR 3 enters full operational service. This decisi...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: HuntingdonDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13296More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Satellite broadband coverage in Huntingdonshire.
Answer: We are committed to delivering gigabit broadband coverage to 99% of premises by 2032. Where premises are too costly to connect via gigabit fibre, alternative such as satellite broadband can play a role in providing quality connectivity, including in Hunti...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordOutdoor Recreation: Young PeopleDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13295More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the amount of Adventures Away From Home funding is for 2026/27.
Answer: My department invested £4.7 million in the Adventures Away From Home Fund (AAfH) in 2025/26, supporting 31,160 bursaries for young people. Delivery of the fund ended on 31st March 2026 and no further funding has been allocated for 2026/27 for the AAfH.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2026 to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to crew compartment heating on the AJAX vehicle platform he plans to make.
Answer: There are a series of upgrades identified to address issues on Ajax and work is underway to action those. I can assure you that the Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics to ensure the programme proceeds safely, responsibly and transpa...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy ReserveMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026, to question 8857 on Army Reserve: Finance, what is the baseline figure of personnel within the active reserve upon which the 20% increase will be measured.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review committed to increasing the proportion of active reserves by 20%, when funding allows. This Government has since published the Defence Investment Plan, which includes £4.2 billion of investment in the Reserve Forces between Fi...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels have transited the English Channel since 24 March 2026.
Answer: Between 24 March and 25 June 2026, 173 UK sanctioned vessels sailed through the Dover Strait, carrying out 230 transits. The UK is continuing to take robust enforcement action against the shadow fleet, including imposing sanctions on over 500 vessels and ...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: English ChannelDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13291More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vessels have transited the channel under a false flag since 24 March 2026.
Answer: The Government continuously monitors UK waters to ensure the safety of mariners, protect the marine environment and uphold the UK's national security. Where steps are required to verify the flag status of a vessel, this is done on a case-by-case basis in ...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMerlin HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10778 on Merlin Helicopters, for what reason were the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk.4 fleet not grounded following the crash in Sourton, Devon on 3 June 2025.
Answer: A full investigation is being conducted into the cause of the crash involving a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter on 3 June 2026. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, loved ones and colleagues of those affected during this difficult time...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on 23 June 2026, what estimate he has made of savings.
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, sets out some measures on how the Department will deliver £10.7 billion of efficiencies and savings alongside wider reforms to prioritisation, affordability and capability delivery.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAstute Class Submarines: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2026 to question 7775 on Defence Nuclear Enterprise, what is the a) whole life cost, b) 2025/26 cost and c) 2026/27 budget for Astute.
Answer: The current estimated whole life cost for Astute is £11.59 billion. The Ministry of Defence publishes annual Defence Nuclear Enterprise expenditure in the usual way through the Annual Report and Accounts.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the carriage hours limitations for Brimstone.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the contribution from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry during the Opposition Day debate on Defence Spending and Readiness on 23 June 2026, if he will list the 47 major defence pro
Answer: The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Annual Report will be published shortly. This contains details of all major programmes within the Government Major Projects Portfolio at 31 March 2026 along with summaries of perform...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of selling the crude oil seized when the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessel SMYRTOS was interdicted on 14 June 2026.
Answer: Due to the ongoing National Crime Agency's criminal investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment on the status of the seized crude oil.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of of 19 June 2026, to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to air filtration on the AJAX vehicle platform does he plan to make.
Answer: There are a series of upgrades identified to address issues on Ajax and work is underway to action those. I can assure you that the Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics to ensure the programme proceeds safely, responsibly and transpa...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordIndia: Jaguar AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force since 01 January 2026.
Answer: A total of nine Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force. Of these, five were the GR1 variant, and four the T2 variant. Of the 42 Jaguar aircraft the Ministry of Defence still holds, 13 are the GR1 variant and none are the T2 variant.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordJaguar AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft are still held by the Ministry of Defence.
Answer: A total of nine Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force. Of these, five were the GR1 variant, and four the T2 variant. Of the 42 Jaguar aircraft the Ministry of Defence still holds, 13 are the GR1 variant and none are the T2 variant.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if MQ-9B Reaper is equipped with Air Handler Cheeks.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons for operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAviation: InnovationDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the full scope of the Future of Flight Programme.
Answer: The UK Future of Flight Programme is a joint industry and government programme that will enable routine beyond visual line of sight drone operations by 2027 and commercial piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations from 202...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHMP Birmingham: Prison AccommodationMinistry of JusticeTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, who is the new contractor for the construction of additional places at HMP Birmingham.
Answer: The new contractor for the construction of the additional places at HMP Birmingham is Galliford Try Construction Limited.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEssex County CouncilMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what advice he received from civil servants at the (a) Department for Health and Social Care and (b) Department for Education on the potential options for the future structure of
Answer: Decisions on local government reorganisation are subject to collective agreement in the usual way.A summary of the Secretary of State’s decision for Essex Councils, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock has already been provided at gov.uk here. The Government has ...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Named Day question 10067, due for answer on 18 June 2026.
Answer: Suggestions that the UK’s interdiction of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Smyrtos was staged for publicity purposes are false. While we don’t routinely comment on specific operational details, the footage released was of secondary clearance of all spaces ...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12889More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 10468 on Shipping: Russia, what is the cost to the public purse of the detainment of the vessel SMYRTOS at Weymouth anchorage.
Answer: We are clear that the ship owner remains responsible for the vessel and its crew, including the vessel’s maintenance and the crew’s management.However, should the ship owner fail in their duties, the Department, as the detaining authority, has contingenc...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12888More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he made of the feasibility of using the NCA to conduct an interdiction operation on the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026 under the a) Sanctions
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. We will not provide details on our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully tak...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: TankersMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consideration he gave to interdicting the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. We will not provide details on our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully tak...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12886More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether discussions were held between the UK Government and their French counterparts on potential interdiction of the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.
Answer: The UK is in regular discussion with our allies to ensure we are ready and able to take action against the dangers posed by the shadow fleet. The interdiction of the SMYRTOS was conducted in close coordination with the French.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament record
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