Mark Francois MP: written questions
604 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Northern Ireland Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee: Public AppointmentsMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to appoint a new Chair of the Northern Ireland Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that veterans in Northern Ireland receive parity of support
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023Ministry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the ability of Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees to fulfil their statutory functions under the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023 prior to the co
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023Ministry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward regulations to implement the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023.
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for allowing parliamentary time for (a) scrutiny and (b) ratification of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garci
Answer: We have consistently said that, once a deal was signed, we would lay it before the House for scrutiny in the usual way. That is exactly what we have done. Parliamentary business will be arranged in the usual way.I have appeared before the IRDC/IAC on 17 J...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62547More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 61499 on RAF Brize Norton: Security, which (a) agency or (b) organisation was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.
Answer: The Royal Air Force Police and Military Provost Guard Service are responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton. This is a part of the multilayered approach to security across the site. The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues and the Defence...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: JournalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 60432 on Ajax Vehicles, if she will list the journalists invited to Bovington to (a) attend and (b) observe activities relating to the Ajax armoured vehicle prog
Answer: Journalists are routinely present at events where Ajax is demonstrated and/or discussed. Ajax is currently in the manufacturing and fielding platforms to the Army phase of the programme. Since 1 February 2025, there have been no Ajax-specific events to wh...
Answered 1 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with Mauritius on its status as a state p
Answer: The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia comply with our obligations under applicable international law.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for appoin
Answer: The UK Government will appoint members of the Joint Commission. These will likely be officials with related responsibilities from relevant departments. There will be no additional remuneration for fulfilling these duties.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, where meetings of the Joint Commis
Answer: The management of the Joint Commission will be agreed between the Parties as part of the implementation of the Agreement.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIran: USAForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his US counterpart and (b) other international partners on the compliance of US military strikes on Iran with the United Kingdom’s obliga
Answer: The UK did not participate in the US' strikes. The Foreign Secretary has been engaging with Secretary of State Rubio on a regular basis, to discuss the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting ...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question (a) 59988 on Grumman E-2 Hawkeye: Procurement, (b) 59989 on Boeing E-7: Procurement, (c) 59990 on Boeing E-7: Procurement and (d) 59991 on Boeing E-7: Cost Effectiveness, tabled o
Answer: I responded to the right hon. Member’s Questions 59990 and 59991 on 26 June 2025 and I will respond to Questions 59988 and 59989 shortly.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: Trespass and VandalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent (a) trespass and (b) vandalism at (i) RAF Brize Norton and (ii) other Ministry of Defence sites designated as protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Answer: As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Ministry of Defence Police was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.
Answer: No.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) make and (b) name was of each aircraft affected by the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.
Answer: The two aircraft targeted in the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025 are both RAF Voyagers. Due to operational security reasons, I hope the Rt hon. Gentleman will understand that we will not be able to confirm the names of the aircraft inv...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: VandalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of vandalism at RAF Brize Norton on its (a) air-to-air refuelling and (b) transport capabilities.
Answer: The incident did not affect RAF operational output. All flights have gone ahead as planned using alternative aircraft. Personnel at RAF Brize Norton continue to provide rapid global mobility and air to air refuelling capability, in support of operations a...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize NortonMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will establish an inquiry into the adequacy of the security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton.
Answer: As I announced in my statement to the House on Monday 23 June 2025, that I believe the right hon. Gentleman was present for, a full security review is underway at RAF Brize Norton with additional reviews across the Defence Estate.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61129More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Q11 of the oral evidence given by Professor Philippe Sands to the International Relations and Defence Committee in the House of Lords on 11 June 2025, whether Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the UK-Maur
Answer: It is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. As I have explained to the right hon. Gentleman before, Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the Chagos Archipelago treaty, once...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61128More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 4 of the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Mauritius invoking international law on military activities on D
Answer: All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia. Article 4 of the treaty reflects the existing UK position.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61127More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a judicial review of a Minister's actions in relation to the use of Diego Garcia would be allowed under Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos
Answer: The Treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty is not capable of being a source of domestic rights or obligations save to the extent that in due course Parliament enacts provision for them.
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025] would require the Government to block the US from using the Base on Diego Garcia
Answer: All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia. Article 4 of the treaty reflects the existing UK position.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written QuestionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61121More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question (a) 58924, (b) 58928, (c) 58929 and (d) 58932, tabled on 11 June 2025.
Answer: A response has been provided for each of these parliamentary questions on Friday 20 June.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagossiansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60828More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to articles 6 and 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whethe
Answer: Ahead of ratification, the Government will make a ministerial Statement in both Houses providing a factual update on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the trust fund.
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(i) of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanati
Answer: The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, ...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director: Public AppointmentsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60826More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many candidates are under consideration for the National Armaments Director role.
Answer: An announcement on the outcome of the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role will be announced in due course.Due to candidate confidentiality we are unable to confirm how many candidates are under consideration.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director: Public AppointmentsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60825More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made in the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role, announced on 25 October 2024, and what his timeline is for the appointment of a candidate to this position.
Answer: An announcement on the outcome of the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role will be announced in due course.Due to candidate confidentiality we are unable to confirm how many candidates are under consideration.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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