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Mark Francois
CON✓ Current MP
🏛️ Rayleigh and Wickford
📅 2001–2026
2,201 speeches on Hansard record
✅ Votes attended: 77.85% (#135 of 659 MPs)
🟢 Rebelled against party: 0.52%
📝 Topics: Diego Garcia: Military Bases, British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, Departmental Expenditure
🤝 Member of 3 All-Party Parliamentary Groups
Written Answers
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Attorney General
To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 30971 on Armed Forces: Civil Proceedings, whether the Attorney General’s list of conflicts included legacy-related matters under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
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Cabinet Office
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the value was of the contract awarded by his Department to Korn Ferry for the recruitment of the National Armaments Director.
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To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to Questions 75061 and 75064 on National Armaments Director: Recruitment.
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To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the contract awarded by his Department to Korn Ferry for the recruitment of the National Armaments Director has been fulfilled.
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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.
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To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many candidates are under consideration for the National Armaments Director role.
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Department of Health and Social Care
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a national strategy for palliative and end of life care.
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department received legal advice on the imminence of legal rulings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Chagos Islands.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 61737, tabled on 23 June 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department plans to answer Question 60828, tabled on 18 June 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61738 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, which Department will fund costs arising from the function of the Joint Commission; and whether his Department has discussed…
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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 obligations under international law; and…
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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 Garcia.
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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), whether he has made an agreement with Mauritius…
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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 Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS…
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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 party to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone…
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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 appointing the UK members of the joint commission;…
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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 Commission will be held; and what (a) travel and…
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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.
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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 international court has jurisdiction on whether…
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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 average annual cost to the public purse of…
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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 whether the UK would cooperate with inspections…
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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 Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he has taken to protect the UK from legal claims having…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 2 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the agreement on…
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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 Mauritius No.1/2025), what estimate his Department…
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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), what steps his Department plans to take to…
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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.
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Ministry of Defence
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Type 45 Destroyers that (a) have completed, (b) are undergoing and (c) are yet to commence the Power Improvement Project power upgrade.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which warship was nominated as the Fleet Ready Escort on 1 March 2026.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of air-to-air refuelling capability on future force development planning.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has identified a future requirement for air-to-air boom refuelling capability for the Royal Air Force.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Chris Bowbrick's current role is.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the latest estimated date is for achieving Full Operating Capability on Ajax.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will give the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Belfast.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the status of the proposed P4E electronic upgrade for the RAF's Typhoon fleet.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to allocate one of the eight Type 26 frigates currently intended for the Royal Navy to Norway.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in-service date for HMS Venturer.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in service date for the RCH 155 artillery system with the British Army.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax armoured vehicles had been delivered by General Dynamics to a) his Department and b) the Army as of 1 November 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his recent WMS on Ajax of 22 January 2026, whether the current or former National Armament Director advised him that Ajax was safe to enter operational service.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered gifting Watchkeeper to Ukraine.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total budget now allocated for the Watchkeeper RPV, between November 2024 (the previously announced cancellation date) and March 2027.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated in-service date for Project Corvus, the planned replacement for the Watchkeeper RPV.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to withdraw the Watchkeeper RPV from operational service with the Army.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest out of service date for the Watchkeeper RPV system.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Warrior armoured fighting vehicles are a) in active service with the Army and b) in storage by variant.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any performance bonuses relating to the Ajax programme have been paid to officials in his Department over the last three years.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the salary band of the current Ajax SRO; and whether this has been supplemented by a performance or other bonus within the part three years.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he now intends to publish the Defence Investment Plan.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has ever sought legal advice from the Treasury Solicitor's Department on Ajax.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met his US counterpart to discuss the progress of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who manufactures the command system for the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total estimated a) acquisition cost and b) through life cost is of the Boxer programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what legal actions his Department has sought to initiate for liquidated damages from contractors in the last five years, broken down by a) project name, b) original contract value and c) sums recovered by his Department.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the largest sum ever recovered by his Department is following a successful legal action for liquidated damages against a contractor; and for which programme this applied.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's definition is of liquidated damages.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he next expects to provide either an Oral or Written statement to Parliament on the progress of the Ajax programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who is the current SRO for the Le TACSIS programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who is the current SRO for the Boxer programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will name the officers or officials in the current DE&S Ajax Reporting chain at (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 star level.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the previous National Armaments Director was paid any performance or other bonuses within the last five years.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's outgoing National Armaments Director was paid a bonus or departure payment on leaving his post.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the salary band for his Department's new National Armaments Director.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many alternative sites are currently being assessed by his Department to accommodate the Crowborough cadets, following their proposed displacement from Crowborough Training Camp, to accommodate asylum seekers.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Department or organisation will be responsible for meeting the costs associated with securing and preparing a new site for the Crowborough cadets, now that Crowborough Training Camp has ben earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which official, team, or directorate within his Department is responsible for identifying a new training location for the Crowborough cadets, now that Crowborough Training Camp has been earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who the most senior legal official is in his Department.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total target for efficiency savings in his Department for a) Financial Year 2025-26 b) Financial Year 2026-27 and c) Financial Year 2027-28.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated IOC date is for the Boxer RCH155mm self-propelled artillery system; and how many such vehicles his Department plans to buy.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has received a request from the Defence Select Committee to provide information relating to the Ajax programme over the last twelve months.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Scimitar reconnaissance vehicle was retired from Army service.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has paid to General Dynamics on the Bowman Evolve to Operate programme in the last five years.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has carried out an evaluation of the potential merits of purchasing the CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met the a) Corporate Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics and b) Head of General Dynamics UK.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the salary bill was for Defence Equipment and Support in 2024-25.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the salary bill was for the Submarine Delivery Agency in 2024-25.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated IOC date is for the Boxer armoured vehicle.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the National Armaments Director was consulted prior to the decision to declare IOC for Ajax.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which date Initial Operating Capability for Ajax was declared; and who signed that declaration.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with General Dynamics on suing that company for liquidated damages relating to the Ajax programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered inviting the Institute of Naval Medicine to investigate the reasons why medical issues arose during the Ajax-related exercise on Salisbury Plain on 22 November 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish all documents provided by the current Senior Reporting Office regarding Ajax’s safety.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the names of those who have held the post of Ajax's Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), or the equivalent position, since 2015.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what bonuses were paid to the Ajax team at Defence Equipment and Support over the past 5 years.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77476 on Boxer Vehicles: Repairs and Maintenance, when the review of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme’s Initial Operating Capability will be completed; and if he will provide an…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has for the future of the Warrior armoured vehicle fleet.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who holds the role of Senior Responsible Owner for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who holds the role of Senior Safety Responsibility Officer for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any personnel have reported medial issues arising from their involvement with the Ajax programme in the last six months.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when (a) he, (b) the Minister for Defence Procurement, (c) the Chief of the General Staff and (d) the National Armoured Director last received an update on progress of the Ajax vehicle trials.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Challenger 3 in battlefield configuration has exceeded its maximum weight limit.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to lay before Parliament (a) communications and (b) records of the former UK Ambassador to the United States' discussions with his Department on the (i) purchasing and (ii) procurement of American military equipment.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department held any meetings with Lord Peter Mandelson on the (a) procurement and (b) purchasing of American military equipment.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department have corresponded with Lord Mandelson on the acquisition of US-manufactured defence equipment.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Lord Peter Mandelson’s involvement in discussions on the procurement of American defence systems.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether dismounted infantry companies in 3 (UK) Division are now planned to transition from Warrior vehicles to ARES rather than to Boxer.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will consist of a single document.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Boxer armoured vehicle programme has been further delayed in reaching its Initial Operating Capability.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Boxer armoured vehicle programme is expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and support of Boxer vehicles within 3 (UK) Division.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Questions 75477, 75478, 75479 on National Armaments Director Group: Costs.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has introduced procurement control measures for spending levels that require clearance by the Secretary of State.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Andy Start will remain the Acting National Armaments Director for the whole length of his contract.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the total cost to the public purse of establishing the National Armaments Director Group since March 2025; and what the breakdown of those costs are.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has incurred additional costs as a result of operating the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group under an acting director rather than a permanent one.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the costs of the design phase of the National Armaments Director Group; and when that phase is will conclude.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the factors which contributed to the delivery confidence assessment rating for the LETacCIS programme decreasing from amber to red between financial year 2023-24-Q4 and 2024-25-Q4; and what steps he is taking to address those…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the total costs incurred on Project MORPHEUS up to the decision to pause its original plans including a breakdown of expenditure on (a) development, (b) industry partnerships, (c) external advice and (d) sustainment activities.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact the pause in Project MORPHEUS on warfighter effectiveness; and what interim measures are in place to extend the service life of the BOWMAN system.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 62175, when his Department plans to hold the next Ajax-specific event at Bovington to which journalists will be invited.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 67826 on Boeing E-7: Standards, what enforcement measures are available for his Department to use if the incentivisation milestones are missed; and whether any of those enforcement measures had been used…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68356 on Air Force: Boeing E-7, whether any component of the UK E-7 Wedgetail sustainment contract will involve (a) logistical, (b) maintenance and (c) technical support operations being conducted in the…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any structural modifications carried out on WT001 post-delivery revealed unforeseen integration challenges with (a) the MESA radar and (b) other mission systems.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the additional costs arising from inflation on the Type 31 frigate programme.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to meet the first-of-class schedule for the Type 31 frigate.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what risks he has identified in the complex integration challenges for the Type 31 frigate programme; and what (a) technical and (b) contractual steps he is taking to help mitigate those risks.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the red delivery confidence rating for the Type 31 frigate programme on the (a) overall user requirements and (b) operational readiness of the Royal Navy.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July 2025 was cancelled.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 62175 on Ajax Vehicles: Journalism, tabled by the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 24 June 2025.
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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 programme since 1 February 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail applies to the whole fleet; and for what reason that clearance is required.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the (a) radar and (b) battle management systems were activated during the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail test flight on 10 July 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet will be supported in the United States; and what the cost is of that support contract.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of South Korea’s decision to explore alternatives for its E-7 Wedgetail replacement.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with NATO allies on the potential procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye as a replacement for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's definition of Initial Operational Capability is for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet; and what specific criteria must be met.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the second Royal Air Force E-7 Wedgetail airframe (WT002) did not conduct test flights during the period when WT001 was grounded.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contractual penalties will Boeing face if it fails to deliver the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to the agreed capability standards; and how will these penalties be enforced.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the reasons for the nine-month gap between the first flight of the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail (WT001) in September 2024 and its subsequent test flight.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail is related to challenges in integrating the Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array MESA radar with the aircraft.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question 62175, tabled on 24 June 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question 59988, tabled on 16 June 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the refit of RFA Lyme Bay on the operational capability of the Royal Marines; and what steps he is taking to ensure the Royal Marines’ amphibious capabilities are maintained until Multi-Role…
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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 US Air Force's decision to procure the E-2D…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take ensure that independent oversight is provided for the activities of the VALOUR Team; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of that oversight on tackling regional variations in support for veterans.
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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.
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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 commencement of the relevant provisions of…
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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 with veterans in other parts of the United…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the recruitment of new members to the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees has been paused; and what plans he has to restart that process.
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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-2025 in-service date is achieved.
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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.
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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 on 16 June 2025.
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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 independent review of the programme’s (i)…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework…
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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 if the Attorney General ruled that its use…
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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 Diego Garcia.
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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.
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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 Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius…
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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 emanating from Diego Garcia.
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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 (a) levels of transparency and (b) public…
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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.
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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.
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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 Strategic Defence Review 2025 before 9.00am on 2…
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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.
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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.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 16(a) of Annex 2 of the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, how the Government plans to apply the definition of persons not connected to the operation of the…
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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 information being used for commercial advantage.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1(1)(i) of the treaty entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what steps he is taking to prevent artificial (a) land and (b) seabed development by other…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 2(3)(g) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department is taking to ensure that military operations in Diego Garcia as…
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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.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(e) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department is planning to ensure the departure of any security…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 6 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he will take to ensure the resettlement programme does not impact the security of…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 2 of the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to put in place (a) further provisions and (b) enforcement mechanisms to ensure that Mauritius…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to take steps with the government of Mauritius to help ensure the Diego Garcia Ramsar Convention site is…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(viii) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what security protocols his Department will establish for (a) non-United…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(a) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether the Agreement permits (a) access, (b) basing, and (c) overflight rights…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 9(1) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how he will exercise (a) prescriptive and (b) adjudicative jurisdiction over Diego Garcia as…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of the public purse of contributing to the Government of Mauritius’s maritime security including (a) training and (b) equipment over the next ten years.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 7 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what mechanism his Department will use to notify the Government of Mauritius of…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(a) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to ensure United Kingdom vessels have…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2 of Article 10 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how will his Department provide reasons; and what safeguards he is putting in…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(viii) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what notification protocols his Department will establish for (a)…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(v) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether the (a) installation and (b) repair of communication systems in Diego…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(d) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 6(b) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he plans to take to ensure that the UK's submission does not…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(iii) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he plans to take to ensure the exclusive command and control…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(f) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what mechanism will be put in place to ensure any joint decision with the…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(h) of Article 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he plans to take to ensure the Government of Mauritius's regulation…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(a) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of providing…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how he will ensure the (a) security and (b) operational continuity of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(b) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 2 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on potential…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government of…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 5(3) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department is planning to take to co-operate with the Government of Mauritius…
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he will publish the results of the consultation on proposed Local Government re-organisation in the County of Essex.
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Northern Ireland Office
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to his Oral Statement of 14 October 2025 on Northern Ireland Troubles, Official Report, column 247 and his Department's press release entitled Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to repeal and replace Legacy Act, published on 14 October…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department will publish an impact assessment for the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of the number of potential claims against former UK armed forces personnel that could be eligible for judicial consideration under the proposals in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the number of people who had previously received an on-the-run letter that have since been (a) charged with and (b) prosecuted for terrorist offences.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65212 on Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, whether his Department plans to lay the draft Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial)…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to prevent former IRA members from claiming damages from the Government, in the context of the document entitled A proposal for a Remedial Order to amend the Northern Ireland…
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to lay the draft Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order.
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