Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Boeing P-8: ScotlandMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93479More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what potential undersea threats have been identified off the coast of northern Scotland by Royal Air Force P8 Poseidon aircraft a) ZP802, b) ZP803, c) ZP805, d) ZP806, e) ZP808 and f) ZP808 since 1 August 2025.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence takes threats to the UK's waters seriously, and UK Armed Forces are ready to respond to any potential threat. We are unable to disclose specific details around the missions conducted by the RAF's P8 Poseidon aircraft, as to do so w...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordType 45 Destroyers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the decision to reduce the order of Type 45 destroyers from 12 ships to 6 on defence.
Answer: The Type 45 destroyers have delivered world-class air defence capability to the Royal Navy since HMS DARING entered service in 2009, and they continue to play a critical role today. Their effectiveness has been demonstrated most recently by HMS DIAMOND du...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNuclear PowerDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93477More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent progress has he made in delivering the Great British Nuclear programme.
Answer: As announced in June, the Great British Nuclear – Energy (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) programme was allocated over £2.5 billion across the Spending Review period. In November, the government announced that the SMR project will be sited at Wylfa on ...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordChina and Russia: Antisatellite WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93476More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential implications for his policies of the use of anti-satellite weapons in all orbital regimes by a) Russia and b) China.
Answer: Space is increasingly contested, and actors are demonstrating the capability and intent to employ sophisticated counterspace capabilities. In response, Defence is enhancing resilience and redundancy in UK space systems to deter threats to and, if necessar...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93475More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation to ensure sufficient supply of (a) services, (b) access to critical n
Answer: We are reviewing which additional legal powers the Government might need across the range of Defence business as part of our work in developing the defence readiness legislation announced in the Strategic Defence Review.
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93474More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the statement by the Chief of the Air Staff in the foreword to the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo programme on the number of ma
Answer: The Chief of the Air Staff's comments highlighted the critical role of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and the ongoing investment in modern ISR platforms for the RAF with cutting edge technology. The Government is taking steps to ensu...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordImports: RussiaDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93473More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the volume of imported products that were manufactured using Russian oil in each of the last three years.
Answer: The Government works with international partners to constrain Russian oil revenues while maintaining global energy supply and security, protecting critical supply chains, and maintaining the stability of global markets. In December 2022, the Government ba...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93245More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope was of Project B Star.
Answer: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93244More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope was of Project Matcha.
Answer: The scope of Project MATCHA was to replace the Gazelle AH Mk1, employed in Northern Ireland in the Rotary Wing Manned Airborne Surveillance role, with an Airbus H135. The project scope also included the integration of new Mission Role Equipment.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93243More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope was of Project Magenta.
Answer: Project Magenta was initiated to provide infrastructure to support the Dreadnought Programme and the Continuous At Sea Deterrent. Due to the classification of Project Magenta, it is not possible to provide any further detail on the project's scope.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Alliances: SpaceMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Operation Olympic Defender.
Answer: Multinational Force Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER (MNF-OOD) is a US led multinational force which provides national-level authority for centralised planning of combined space operations. The core members are the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Cana...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWarrior Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2025 on question 83063 on Warrior Vehicles: Procurement, when the concept phase of Project Atilla is due to end.
Answer: Project ATILLA is now in the early stages of commercial competition. This means that the project has progressed from considering conceptual elements such as evaluating project feasibility. The project is now preparing to move into the Invitation to Tender...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93240More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope was of Project Rarden.
Answer: Project RARDEN is a legacy project that designed and introduced the Rarden cannon into service in the 1970s.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHMS Iron DukeMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93239More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of cancelling the Iron Duke conversion programme.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence keeps all capability programmes under regular review to ensure they remain affordable, deliver value for money, and align with operational priorities. The decision to cancel the Iron Duke conversion programme was based on a compreh...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: InjuriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93238More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many settlements for non-freezing cold injuries did his department make in 2024/25.
Answer: The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes (AFCS) compensate service personnel and veterans for a wide range of injuries and illnesses arising from or exacerbated by their service. Non-freezing cold injuries (NFCI) are included in...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMarinesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what level of readiness is 42 Commando’s Fleet Contingency Troop held at in order to conduct maritime interdiction operations in UK territorial waters.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continually evaluates the most appropriate options and resources to address the evolving threats faced by the United Kingdom. For security reasons, we cannot disclose specific assessments or operational decisions publicly. However,...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential benefit of forward mounting Royal Marines from the Fleet Contingency Troop to HMS Somerset in order to provide interdiction options for the tracking of the Russian shi
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continually evaluates the most appropriate options and resources to address the evolving threats faced by the United Kingdom. For security reasons, we cannot disclose specific assessments or operational decisions publicly. However,...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWarships: Territorial WatersMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the use of lasers by the Russian ship Yantar to disrupt a Royal Air Force Poseidon P-8, what is the threshold needed to necessitate offensive action by the UK military if a foreign vessel is operating i
Answer: The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess its response options to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately against malign activities and future threats. For reasons of national security, I am not able to disclose specific details...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Rules of EngagementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press conference he gave on 19th November 2025 regarding the use of lasers by the Russian ship Yantar, what changes has he made to the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement.
Answer: The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess our Rules of Engagement to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately in response to malign activities and evolving threats, including unsafe or unprofessional behaviour by foreign vessels ...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: RiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting a 6.8 x 51mm calibre rifle for frontline combat roles.
Answer: A review of performance requirements and technical solutions is ongoing as part of the concept phase for Project GRAYBURN. On current plans, Project GRAYBURN is due to enter its assessment phase in 2026. The project aims to replace the SA80 family of rifl...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to question 89765 on Military Aircraft: Procurement, what the in-year saving made by cancelling the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme was.
Answer: The decision to cancel the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme was driven by delays in delivering the required capability and an assessment of increased costs for uncontracted work. As a result, no direct in-year savings were realised from this decision. However...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison AccommodationMinistry of JusticeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison places have been delivered through the Small Secure Houseblocks programme since 5 July 2024; and at which locations.
Answer: No places have yet been delivered under the Small Secure Houseblocks (SSH) programme. Following completion of the design stage, the programme is now in its main construction phase. Based on current plans, the Small Secure Houseblocks programme will delive...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF LakenheathMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, by when the two USAF F-35 squadrons at RAF Lakenheath will reach full operating capacity.
Answer: The two US Air Force F-35 squadrons stationed at RAF Lakenheath have reached full operating capacity, which was achieved in Autumn 2025.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUSA: Joint ExercisesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the outcome was of Royal Navy integration into US Carrier Strike Group certification training in October and November 2024.
Answer: In October 2024 the UK Carrier Strike Group and US Carrier Strike Group 8 completed a period of combined integration training during Exercise STRIKE WARRIOR. Exercise STRIKE WARRIOR included the successful re-certification of the UK Carrier Strike Group s...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the requirements of the Royal Navy's a) Stratus LO (Low Observable) and b) Stratus RS (Rapid Strike) programmes.
Answer: The Royal Navy has a requirement called the Future Offensive Surface Weapon (FOSuW) which will provide a long range anti-ship strike weapon with land attack capabilities, compatible with the Mk41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The FOSuW requirement will be...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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