Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Ajax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 98879 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, whether any Ajax-platform vehicles been involved in more than one instance of causing noise and vibration sickness.
Answer: The investigation into the safety of the Ajax platform remains ongoing, and as I advised in the Written Statement I made on 22 January 2026, I will provide a further update in due course.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107523More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 98879 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many of each Ajax-platform vehicle has been involved in causing noise and vibration injuries.
Answer: The investigation into the safety of the Ajax platform remains ongoing, and as I advised in the Written Statement I made on 22 January 2026, I will provide a further update in due course.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordReserve ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107522More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Government ministers will be eligible to be called up to the armed forces following proposed changes to eligibility for the strategic reserve.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has not done any such an assessment. It is the personal responsibility of all former Regular Service or current Volunteer Reserve Personnel, including Government Ministers, to determine whether they are affected by the Armed Forces...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107521More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the corrected answer of 13 January 2026 to question 102957 on Artillery: Procurement, for what reason the original order was reduced to one RCH 155 platform.
Answer: The UK is procuring one Early Capability Demonstrator platform as part of the Mobile Fires Platform programme, and the original order remains unchanged. The corrected answer to Question 102957 reflected the rectification of an administrative error which i...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNATOMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107520More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105590 on NATO, how many of the six NATO-administered facilities are located within US-run military bases.
Answer: One facility—the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC)—is located at RAF Molesworth, a United States Visiting Forces (USVF) base, in Cambridgeshire.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107519More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105582 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what programme does the replacement of Pinzgauer fall under.
Answer: The long-term replacement for the Pinzgauer vehicle is being considered within the Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) segment of the Land Mobility Programme. The programme is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105586 on Navy: Shipping, is the Patrick Blackett (a) in service with the Royal Navy and (b) a commissioned warship.
Answer: The XV Patrick Blackett is an experimental vessel, operating under a Blue Ensign. While it is in service with the Royal Navy to test new technologies, as an experimental vessel it is not a commissioned warship.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: DredgingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107517More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105592 on River Great Ouse: Dredging, for what reason the river has not been dredged since the 1970s and 1980s.
Answer: Since the 1980s, the Environment Agency’s (EA) maintenance works have been limited to targeted desilting at specific locations, such as locks, outfalls and gauging stations, to maintain navigation and asset functionality. Sections of the Ely Ouse, from Po...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107516More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department paid to General Dynamics in relation to the delivery of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.
Answer: As at 22 January 2026, the Ministry of Defence has paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £4.664 billion in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which vehicle platforms is he currently assessing the feasibility of equipping the M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
Answer: The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of th...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of equipping Ares with the Northrop Grumman M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
Answer: The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of th...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the medical status update on personnel injured during Exercise Titan Storm, provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces during the Ajax debate on 14th January 2026, how many of those personnel
Answer: The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical informa...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax-family vehicles were at each Capability Drop status as at 22 November 2025.
Answer: At 22 November 2025, the following number of Ajax vehicles were at each Capability Drop: CD1 – 59CD2 – 84CD3 – 172 Total Produced – 315Total Contract - 589 Only Capability Drop 3 vehicles are fielded to Army units.
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what requirement has his Department specified for (a) anti-thermal and (b) anti IR coatings to the new rifle within Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterans: VisasMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to question 105591 on Veterans: Visas, what issues he has encountered in the delivery of a visa fee waiver for dependents of Commonwealth veterans.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Home Office on the Government’s commitment to waive visa fees for non-UK veterans and their dependants. This work is ongoing, and the Department will update Parliament in the usual way once cross ...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people from the Queens Royal Hussars have been diagnosed as suffering from noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle (a) before and (b) after 23 July 2025.
Answer: The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical informa...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107230More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many individuals from the Household Cavalry Regiment have been diagnosed as with noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle a) before and b) after 23 July 2025.
Answer: The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical informa...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made it a requirement to use Aubert & Duval Armad steel to manufacture barrels for rifle variants within Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFloods: HuntingdonDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Gifford farm development on flooding via Parsons Drove drain in Huntingdon constituency.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) was consulted on the emerging Local Plan, which sets out potential locations for development in Huntingdonshire, and responded regarding the proposed Gifford’s Park site. In the EA’s response, it advised:A detailed Flood Risk A...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger Tanks: ExportsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107227More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the MARTE Project on future defence export opportunities for Challenger 3.
Answer: Challenger 3 is the centrepiece of the British Army’s armoured modernisation programme and will deliver a step change in lethality, survivability and digital integration. The Department continues to explore export opportunities for Challenger 3 and its ca...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the maximum weight of the new rifle under Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFleet Solid Support Ships: Iron and SteelMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106666More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the raw material shortage at Liberty Steel's Dalzell plant on the construction of the three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Answer: The current assessment of the potential impact of the raw material shortage at Liberty Steel's Dalzell plant, on the construction of the three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, is deemed low.The sourcing of steel for the FSS p...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Middle EastMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106665More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to replace HMS Middleton in the Middle East upon its return to the UK.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard UK interests. The Royal Navy remains committed to regional stability through its enduring presence under Operation KIPION, including the UK Maritime Com...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRivers: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to enforce waterway maintenance responsibilities by riparian owners in Huntingdonshire.
Answer: In Huntingdonshire, the Environment Agency (EA) has undertaken targeted enforcement across Brampton Brook, Alconbury Brook, Ellington Brook and St Ives to encourage voluntary compliance and to inform and educate landowners on riparian responsibilities. Th...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104940 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will the Environment Agency have completed their assessment of the potential f
Answer: The full business case for the St Ives Staunch sluice project is currently planned for completion in late Spring 2026. This will include a high-level assessment of the benefits, impacts and costs of proposed options.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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