Mark Francois MP: written questions
604 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Diego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60824More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanating from Diego Garcia under Paragraph 1 (b) (i) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archip
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 recordArmed Forces: SpeechesMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department has advised senior military officers not to speak on the record at events where a Minister is present; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that guidance on
Answer: This is not true. Recently, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker spoke on the record, and live on Sky Television at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on the same day as the Secretary of State for Defence.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: JournalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60432More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any journalists have been invited to (a) attend and (b) observe activities relating to the Ajax armoured vehicle programme since 1 February 2025.
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.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the (a) financial accountability and (b) value for money of the E-7 Wedgetail programme; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of launching an indep
Answer: Identified as part of the Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP), the Wedgetail programme is subject to regular reviews by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority who undertake regular assessment of the E-7 programme and report...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59990More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his US counterpart on the (a) future of the E7 Wedgetail programme and (b) interoperability between both nations.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence have continual engagement with the US regarding the E-7 programme, specifically through the trilateral agreement and working groups established in 2022. These focus on collaboration and interoperability as directed in a Joint Vison...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out what (a) technical and (b) management issues are causing the delay in the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft WT001 flight test programme; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the late-20
Answer: The Wedgetail programme has already completed three test flights and will continue to undertake comprehensive ground and flight tests throughout 2025 to achieve the approved In-Service Date. Engagement continues with Boeing and the Ministry of Defence to ...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAWACS: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Air Force plans to (a) reconsider its procurement strategy and (b) evaluate the acquisition of the E-2D Hawkeye to replace or supplement its existing E-7 Wedgetail fleet, in the context of the U
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is continuing with its procurement of E-7 Wedgetail in order to meet the national and NATO requirements for an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) capability which is interoperable with its allies.As highlighted in the Strate...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he considered including a new medium helicopter programme within the Strategic Defence Review; and whether he plans to implement such a programme.
Answer: There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The Ministry of Defence i...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex IV of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the
Answer: Details of the arbitration mechanism, including the identities of arbitrators, will be agreed with Mauritius through the Joint Commission.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a complaint against Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba on the storage of nuclear weapons on Diego Garcia; and whet
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), which internat
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his PQ 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58924More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54676 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Ar
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question (a) 56739, (b) 56740 and (c) 56741 on Strategic Defence Review, tabled on 3 June 2025.
Answer: I responded to the right hon. Member's Questions 56739 and 56740 on 11 June 2025 and to Question 56741 on 10 June 2025.
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) industry bodies, (b) defence industry companies, (c) media organisations, (d) trade associations, (e) think tanks and (f) other non-Government (i) bodies and (ii) people were given access to the Stra
Answer: For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach f...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57215More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take legislative steps to support the implementation of the Chagos deal.
Answer: Section 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum sets out the process for Treaty implementation.
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56743More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the planned £6 billion of new efficiencies this Parliament on existing defence (a) programmes and (b) capabilities.
Answer: We will deliver nearly £6 billion of new savings over the course of this Parliament through efficiency and productivity savings, civilian workforce changes, structural simplification and contractual efficiencies. As we are focusing on delivering savings t...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence Review: Disclosure of InformationCabinet OfficeTabled 3 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56742More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he is taking steps to investigate a potential breach of paragraph 9.1 of the Ministerial Code in relation to the publication of unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review to (a) people and (b
Answer: I refer to the statement made to the House by the Leader of the House of Commons on 2 June 2025.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56741More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he took to ensure that the early release of unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, to (a) people and (b) companies did not result in market-sensitive informat
Answer: For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach f...
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any (a) people or (b) companies who received unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review on 02 June 2025 were required to sign non-disclosure agreements prior to receipt.
Answer: For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach f...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria were used to determine which (a) peple and (b) companies were granted access to unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review on 2 June 2025.
Answer: For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach f...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: SeabedForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025),
Answer: Article 3(2) of the treaty clearly states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. The US supports the...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Marine Protected AreasForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 5(2) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether he
Answer: The Blue Belt Programme, which is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, currently supports BIOT to manage the current Marine Protected Area. As the Treaty states, the terms of the management and support provided by the UK to Mauritiu...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 8 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), w
Answer: Article 3(2) of the treaty clearly states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. This will ensure th...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraphs 1(a) to 1(c) of Article 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritiu
Answer: Full details of the methodology are set out in the Explanatory Memorandum laid alongside the Treaty. We have published the full costs alongside the Treaty and laid them in the House. The figures are verified by the Government Actuary's Department, drawing...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: Maritime ZonesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 19 and Annexes 5 and 6 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/
Answer: The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the international legal basis on which States can establish coastal baselines and maritime zones, including a territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. Once the Treaty enters into force, the det...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →