Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Ajax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2026 to Question 109313 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, when he plans to (a) complete the planned upgrades and (b) deliver the vehicles back into service.
Answer: All Ajax platforms are planned to be upgraded to Capability Drop 4 by September 2029. Vehicles are delivered into service in accordance with the requirements of the Army Fielding plan.
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the (a) Philippines Army’s Sabrah Light Tank and b) the Spanish Army’s VCZAP Castor’s ASCOD2 chassis.
Answer: The Army routinely assesses which vehicles are most appropriate to meet specific capability requirements. The base platform of the Philippines Army’s Sabrah Light Tank is the ASCOD 2 chassis. At present, the British Army has no requirement for a light tan...
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUSA: Diplomatic ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, who was (a) considered and (b) interviewed for the role of UK Ambassador to the United States in 2025.
Answer: As is normal practice, we do not publish details of unsuccessful applicants, or potential candidates, for senior roles in the diplomatic service or elsewhere in government.
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos IslandsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions did the National Security Advisor, Jonathan Powell, have with then UK Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson, regarding the Chagos Islands.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set ou...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordThatched Roofing: Home InsuranceTreasuryTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111940More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the level of difficulty in obtaining a) home and b) buildings insurance for thatched buildings.
Answer: The government has not made a specific assessment regarding the availability of home insurance for thatched buildings. Insurers make commercial decisions about pricing and the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The ...
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordThatched RoofingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of growing water reed for the purposes of thatching materials within the Great Fen project.
Answer: Defra, Natural England, and Environment Agency are working closely with our Great Fen partners to look at the benefits of paludiculture (wetter farming) and trialling a range of diversification options. This is vital to enable thriving and sustainable rur...
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEspionage: ChinaCabinet OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111938More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any box notes were provided to the Prime Minister by the National Security Advisor regarding the alleged China Spy Case.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 23 October 2025, Official Report, column 1087.
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111937More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department held with the Mauritian Government on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in (a) January 2009 and (b) July 2009.
Answer: The then government explained to Parliament in 2009 that the purpose of the meetings in 2009 was to establish a dialogue between the UK and Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory. Officials set out their respective views on the issue of sovereign...
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the difference between each Capability Drop standard of the Ajax programme.
Answer: It would not be appropriate to comment on the specific detail around each Capability Drop due to operational sensitivities.
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBangladesh: HMS EnterpriseMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the total value of the government-to-government defence sales agreement for the transfer of the former Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Enterprise to Bangladesh.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the financial details or payment structures of bilateral defence sales, including the transfer of HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Government, due to commercial and operational sensitivities.
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: ParachutingMinistry of DefenceTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential negative impact of removing parachute infantry deployment as a capability.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) considered all aspects of Defence, including military parachuting capabilities. The SDR recommended that airborne parachute capability and capacity should remain focused on specialists and a single battalion group. The G...
Answered 16 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111933More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information does his Department hold on the role did the UK National Security Advisor had in the (a) consideration, (b) selection and (c) appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and ...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonCabinet OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111932More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date did his Department receive a written report from Lord Glassman regarding the nature of the relationship between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein.
Answer: There is no record of receipt of Lord Glasman’s report in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCambridgeshire Constabulary: Body ArmourHome OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111931More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date the contract for body armour between Mehler Vario System GmbH and Cambridgeshire Constabulary expired.
Answer: Cambridgeshire Constabulary maintains its own procurement function and the Home Office does not hold information on ongoing or prior contractual arrangements.
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCambridgeshire Constabulary: Body ArmourHome OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111930More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with which company Cambridgeshire Constabulary has a contract for the provision of body armour for a) firearms and b) roads policing officers.
Answer: Cambridgeshire Constabulary maintains its own procurement function and the Home Office does not hold information on ongoing or prior contractual arrangements.
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Criminal Justice Boards: PoliceMinistry of JusticeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the a) operation and b) alignment of Local Criminal Justice Boards within future policing structures.
Answer: The Government recognises the important role Local Criminal Justice Boards play as the forum where local criminal justice system partners collaborate, and the Ministry of Justice remain committed to supporting them. The Ministry of Justice is working clos...
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordTaxis: Members and MinistersCabinet OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111928More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the risks of a) hon. Members and b) Ministers travelling in London Electric Vehicle Company taxis owned by the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
Answer: Whilst the Government does not comment on specific security assessments, we maintain a robust, cross-departmental approach to ensure that official travel is conducted securely. The licensing of taxis in London is a matter for Transport for London (TfL). A...
Answered 19 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111474More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on role that the Rt hon. Member for Tottenham had in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK Ambassador to the United States of Amer
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set ou...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordThatched Roofing: VATTreasuryTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111280More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making thatching existing properties zero-rated for VAT.
Answer: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Outside of a limited number of VAT reliefs aimed at stimulating the property market, the standard VAT rate of 20 per cent applies to most constr...
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordThatched RoofingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the number of domestic thatch growers on the future of the industry.
Answer: There are approximately 25,000 listed thatched buildings in England, many more are unlisted. These buildings are a quintessential part of some of our best loved rural landscapes.Historic England, the government’s statutory advisor on heritage, carried out...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPrisons and Young Offender Institutions: Unmanned Air SystemsAttorney GeneralTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111278More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General,?how many people have been prosecuted for flying a drone in a Restricted Fly Zone around (a) closed prisons and (b) young offender institutions since January 2024.
Answer: Flying a drone in the restricted airspace around a closed prison or young offender institution is an offence contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2016. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for investigating and prosecuting this offence and the Crow...
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNeighbourhood Policing: TrainingHome OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 22 of the Police reform white paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing (CP1489), by when will every neighbourhood police officer and Police Community Support Offi
Answer: The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG) commitments were met in July 2025, including the start of the national roll out of the College of Policing’s Neighbourhood Policing Programme – Career Pathway (NPP), providing specialist training to police office...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNeighbourhood PolicingHome OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 22 of the Police reform white paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing (CP1489), by when will she design new standards so that neighbourhood officers are not rout
Answer: Visible and responsive local policing is essential to restoring public confidence. The Government is committed to rebuilding neighbourhood policing and restoring the vital link between police forces and the communities they serve.As part of our Neighbourh...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNeighbourhood PolicingHome OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 22 of the Police reform white paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing (CP1489), how can local residents find out who their named, contactable officer is.
Answer: The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is ensuring a more consistent standard of neighbourhood policing across England and Wales. Every neighbourhood has named, and contactable officers dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour locally, with for...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice: Cost EffectivenessHome OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111274More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 16 of the Police reform white paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing (CP1489), by when will the Police Efficiency and Collaboration Programme be fully operation
Answer: The Police Efficiency and Collaboration Programme (PECP) was announced in November 2024 as part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to set a up a programme to drive down costs in policing.The programme is operational and already making savings. Some ...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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