Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he is having with local authorities on the development of single occupancy housing for veterans.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

This Government is committed to ensuring veterans across the UK have access to the housing support they need. We have introduced several measures to assist veterans with housing provision. This includes reforms to exempt all veterans applying for social housing from local connection and residency tests to improve their access to housing in England.

In addition, Op FORTITUDE provides a single point of contact and dedicated referral scheme for single veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the UK. The Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme funds housing organisations to deliver wraparound care and support services. The Government’s £20 million Veterans Capital Housing Fund is used to refurbish or expand to enhance accommodation quality or increase capacity. This programme will ensure there will be a long-term and sustainable supply of high-quality properties for veterans.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking through the Veterans' Capital Housing Fund to supply affordable and social housing for veterans in (a) Leicestershire and (b) Hinckley and Bosworth constituency.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Organisations across the UK are eligible to apply for funding under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. This funding is used to refurbish or expand to enhance accommodation quality or increase capacity. This programme will ensure there will be a long-term and sustainable supply of high-quality properties, with access to wraparound support for veterans. To date and in support of this programme, one organisation in Leicester has been awarded a major capital grant of £295,039.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where housing stock is being sourced from for refurbishment through the Veterans' Capital Housing Fund.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The majority of the organisations that receive funding from the Veterans' Capital Housing Fund already own or rent the properties they wish to improve. The funding is used to refurbish or expand to enhance accommodation quality or increase capacity. This programme will ensure there will be a long-term and sustainable supply of high-quality properties for veterans.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on UK access to the Security Action for Europe fund.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As this is a critical moment for the security of our continent, we welcome European efforts to increase defence spending, through the ReArm initiative including the proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument.

The UK and the EU have agreed an ambitious new Security and Defence Partnership as part of a wider package of the UK-EU reset, which means that the UK now meets the gateway criteria for discussing participation in common procurement under SAFE. Recognising the important role that the UK’s defence industry plays already for European security, we have set out our ambition to swiftly explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to fully integrate Spear 3 onto Typhoon.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of SPEAR 3 development with MBDA and to support future integration on F-35 Lightning, a Test and Evaluation Typhoon is being used as a missile development launch aircraft.

Future weapon system upgrades and integration are continuously under review for Typhoon Force to ensure it has the capabilities required by UK Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the integration of Spear 3 onto the F-35B.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

SPEAR 3 will be integrated onto the F-35 under the Block 4 upgrade programme. The UK continues to work closely with the F-35 Joint Program Office to understand the impact of delays to the Block 4 programme, including SPEAR 3 integration.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, whether the two CH47 Chinook helicopters currently deployed in Cyprus are provided from the fleet of the 14 Chinook helicopters being decommissioned.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Of the two Chinook H-47 currently deployed to cover the aerial firefighting season in Cyprus, one is earmarked for retirement as part of the planned decommissioning of the oldest 14 aircraft in the Chinook fleet.

There is no impact on Chinook fleet operational outputs as a result of the forward deployment of two Chinook H-47 to Cyprus.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department segregates armaments into (a) defensive and (b) offensive categories.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence does not categorise armaments as defensive or offensive during the procurement process. Items are generally considered in terms of the capability that they provide, and many items are capable of being used both offensively and defensively.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, what steps he is taking to ensure that there will be no loss of operational output from the Chinook fleet as a result of the deployment of two CH47 Chinook helicopters in Cyprus.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Of the two Chinook H-47 currently deployed to cover the aerial firefighting season in Cyprus, one is earmarked for retirement as part of the planned decommissioning of the oldest 14 aircraft in the Chinook fleet.

There is no impact on Chinook fleet operational outputs as a result of the forward deployment of two Chinook H-47 to Cyprus.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Minister for Defence, whether the AW159 Wildcat helicopters designated (a) ZZ394 and (b) ZZ384 flown by 815 Naval Air Squadron, known as Marine 11 and Marine 12, have been used for ministerial travel since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Neither of these helicopters have been used for Ministerial travel since 5 July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether estates managed by his Department participate in the No Mow May initiative.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Ministry of Defence estates support the No Mow May Initiative.

However, participation in this initiative across the Built Estate is on an establishment-by-establishment basis. As such, this information is not held centrally and can therefore only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52039 on Armed Forces: Housing, when the 19 void properties in Huntingdon constituency are due to be refurbished.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are unable to provide information confirming where the 19 void properties are in the Huntingdon constituency as this would potentially put at risk the security of our Armed Forces personnel and the safety of their families and dependants.

To provide specific addresses would provide public confirmation that the address provided is a home for Armed Forces personnel. Providing such confirmation would give anyone with malicious intent the address of a Service person which would potentially place them and their family, or indeed anyone who occupied the property in the future, at risk of harm.

We are currently undertaking an extensive review of our entire Service Family Accommodation portfolio to determine how we will utilise our properties including those reacquired from Annington Homes Ltd. Until this review is completed, we are unable to provide details of our future intentions.

All options will be assessed during the review to ensure a strategic and structured approach is taken.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether representations have been made to his Department on the potential impact of energy parks and associated infrastructure on the Welsh Military Tactical Training Area.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Without details of any specific development being referred to, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are unable to confirm whether we have been consulted upon a particular development.

The MOD is a statutory consultee in the UK planning systems to safeguard operational defence sites (such as aerodromes, technical sites and explosives storage sites) as well as defence capabilities such as defence radar coverage and the UK military low flying system.

The MOD routinely responds to representations and will raise objections to any development that may adversely impact Defence activities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had on the impact of the proposed green energy network on military aircraft operating in Brecon, Radnor and Cwmtawe constituency.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Without specific details of the proposal referenced, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are unable to confirm whether we have been consulted on this potential development.

The MOD is a statutory consultee in the UK planning systems to safeguard operational defence sites and routinely responds to representations. The MOD will raise objections to any developments that may adversely impact Defence capabilities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52039 on Armed Forces: Housing, where the 19 void properties are in Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are unable to provide information confirming where the 19 void properties are in the Huntingdon constituency as this would potentially put at risk the security of our Armed Forces personnel and the safety of their families and dependants.

To provide specific addresses would provide public confirmation that the address provided is a home for Armed Forces personnel. Providing such confirmation would give anyone with malicious intent the address of a Service person which would potentially place them and their family, or indeed anyone who occupied the property in the future, at risk of harm.

We are currently undertaking an extensive review of our entire Service Family Accommodation portfolio to determine how we will utilise our properties including those reacquired from Annington Homes Ltd. Until this review is completed, we are unable to provide details of our future intentions.

All options will be assessed during the review to ensure a strategic and structured approach is taken.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with SMEs on barriers to defence procurement.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of our development of the Defence Industrial Strategy I have attended a series of Roundtable events with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the United Kingdom. These events provide an opportunity to engage with SMEs across the defence supply chain, and to receive feedback on their experiences of doing business with defence, including the challenges which they encounter.

In addition to this, planning for a new SME Support Centre for SMEs has started. Officials have held multiple consultation events with SMEs and defence industry to ensure that the new service meets defence SMEs needs. We will be holding more consultation events in the coming weeks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the stability of the semiconductor supply chain for the UK defence industry.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Department is actively engaged in de-risking critical defence supply chain vulnerabilities, including for semiconductors, working collaboratively with industry and our international partners to mitigate risks. We aim to identify critical pinch points in our supply chains, for example, critical components, to enable us to make informed decisions around how and if to intervene. The Strategic Review and Defence Industrial Strategy will restate the importance of robust and resilience supply chains to ensure the delivery of critical defence outputs and keep the UK safe and secure.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support the mental health of veterans in Northern Ireland; and what support his Department is providing to affected veterans.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 28 May 2025 to Question 53212.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with defence manufacturers on skills levels in that sector.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector and this is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

We will continue working with industry, including through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council, to ensure the sector has access to the skilled workforce it requires now and into the future.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to increase the number of apprenticeships within the defence sector.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the UK with over 25,000 apprenticeships across the Armed Forces and Civil Service in 2024. The MOD is working closely with the Department for Education and with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector. This is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of animals used for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory research in 2024.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) remit to provide safe and effective countermeasures for UK Armed Forces could not currently be achieved without some use of animals. The Ministry of Defence does not conduct animal experiments for the development or testing of offensive weapons.

Dstl is committed to the principles of Reduction, Replacement and Refinement (3Rs) in its use of laboratory animals, and only use animals where no feasible alternative methodologies exist.

In 2024, Dstl used 679 animals in procedures regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of expenditure by his Department on businesses in the West Midlands.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence spent £1.6 billion in the West Midlands in 2023-24, which equates to £260 per person in the region and directly supported 7,100 jobs. This includes £137 million spent directly with SMEs in the same period.

Through the Defence Industrial Strategy, we will continue to engage with industry, devolved governments and local authorities to better understand the regional opportunities and barriers for growth in the defence sector.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45917 on Armed Forces: Equality, if he will publish the training manuals and documentation prepared for each of those courses provided by the Defence Academy.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

No. The course material is subject to Crown copyright. There are many companies that deliver ED&I training who could financially benefit from copying our course material.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether this will cause any delay to the publication of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review was published on 2 June 2025. It sets out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by Defence to meet the threats, challenges, and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this on the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review was published on 2 June 2025. It sets out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the recently announced support hub for small businesses on accessing the defence supply chain will be adequately resourced, appropriately led, and fully integrated into existing defence innovation structures and procurement frameworks.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In March 2025 the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence announced new support to help SMEs access the Defence supply chain and ensure they benefit from the increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. An integral part of this commitment will be the launch of a new SME Support Centre which will help small businesses access the defence supply chain. The detail of how the office will operate is currently being developed by officials with input from across the Ministry of Defence, wider Government and external stakeholders, including companies outside of the existing defence sector. We are working with SMEs to ensure that they have a say in development of the services the support centre will provide.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to (a) review and (b) remove the upper age limit for entry into flying and other officer roles in the armed forces.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Department is assessing current policies and identifying those which obstruct individuals from joining the Armed Forces. It is essential that new entrants to the Armed Forces meet set requirements so that they are capable of successfully tackling the various challenges of Service life and the roles in which they will be expected to deploy. As part of this assessment, regulations concerning eligibility requirements, plus those supporting Armed Forces recruitment processes, will be revised and promulgated once finalised. I hope the Hon. Gentleman will understand that where policies are found to be reasonable they will be kept, and where changes are recommended, they will be enacted.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the costs for the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025] are accounted for under his Department's Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit; and what estimate he has made of the potential impact of these costs on (a) his Department's operational budget and (b) the Government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

These are being considered as part of the wider Government engagement on the second phase of the Spending Review, which concludes on 11 June 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether the content of the policy paper was discussed with the lead members of the Strategic Defence Review team prior to its publication.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review was published on 2 June 2025. It sets out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase participation by (a) young people and (b) young people from (i) disadvantaged and (ii) underrepresented communities in Cadet Units in Fylde constituencies.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are committed to sustaining and growing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Cadet Forces across the UK, including in the Fylde constituency. Uplift in Cadet numbers will benefit all regions of the UK, but it will be targeted at those communities most in need.

Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the Cadet experience we want more young people to be able to join and we aim to significantly grow both community and school Cadet numbers, expanding by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term.

To encourage young people to join, the Cadet Force headquarters run national and regional marketing campaigns showcasing the benefits of personal development, adventure, and community involvement. The Cadet Forces are also very active on social media with regular posts publicising activities and further information about joining is also posted on the Cadet Forces’ websites.

The Cadet Forces are inclusive organisations, committed to equality of opportunity for young people with activities heavily subsidised to ensure inclusivity. We are proud of the fact that we invest a significant amount in our Cadet Forces, and it is worth noting that if the cadet experience helps just 1% of cadets every year change their life outcomes so that they are in employment, education or training, the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is covered.

Independent research shows that participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people. It increases their performance at school and improves their employment and career prospects and the impact is particularly strong for those cadets that suffer economic and other disadvantages.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39631 on Armed Forces: Fylde, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) financial, (b) geographic and (c) cultural barriers to participation in the Cadet forces.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are committed to sustaining and growing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Cadet Forces across the UK, including in the Fylde constituency. Uplift in Cadet numbers will benefit all regions of the UK, but it will be targeted at those communities most in need.

Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the Cadet experience we want more young people to be able to join and we aim to significantly grow both community and school Cadet numbers, expanding by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term.

To encourage young people to join, the Cadet Force headquarters run national and regional marketing campaigns showcasing the benefits of personal development, adventure, and community involvement. The Cadet Forces are also very active on social media with regular posts publicising activities and further information about joining is also posted on the Cadet Forces’ websites.

The Cadet Forces are inclusive organisations, committed to equality of opportunity for young people with activities heavily subsidised to ensure inclusivity. We are proud of the fact that we invest a significant amount in our Cadet Forces, and it is worth noting that if the cadet experience helps just 1% of cadets every year change their life outcomes so that they are in employment, education or training, the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is covered.

Independent research shows that participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people. It increases their performance at school and improves their employment and career prospects and the impact is particularly strong for those cadets that suffer economic and other disadvantages.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of potential risks to civilians in advance of airstrikes in Yemen on 29 April.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Ahead of the UK strikes in Yemen on 29 April, the utmost care was taken during planning to minimise any risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure.

This included conducting the strikes in the hours of darkness, as this was a feasible precaution available during this particular mission to further mitigate any such risks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the presence of two anchors from the former HMS Prince of Wales among the metal looted from the wreck and currently held in Malaysia.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Malaysian authorities have primacy over the investigation into the illegal salvage of HMS Prince of Wales. As these investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on the alleged perpetrators at this stage, or speculate on the future preservation of the artefacts, including any metal recovered, until they have concluded.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any plans for the disposal of metal illegally looted from the wreck of the former HMS Prince of Wales currently held in Malaysia.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Malaysian authorities have primacy over the investigation into the illegal salvage of HMS Prince of Wales. As these investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on the alleged perpetrators at this stage, or speculate on the future preservation of the artefacts, including any metal recovered, until they have concluded.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the men responsible for looting the wreck of the former HMS Prince of Wales have been released from Malaysian custody.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Malaysian authorities have primacy over the investigation into the illegal salvage of HMS Prince of Wales. As these investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on the alleged perpetrators at this stage, or speculate on the future preservation of the artefacts, including any metal recovered, until they have concluded.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they have taken to recover metal illegally looted from the wreck of the former HMS Prince of Wales.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Malaysian authorities have primacy over the investigation into the illegal salvage of HMS Prince of Wales. As these investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment on the alleged perpetrators at this stage, or speculate on the future preservation of the artefacts, including any metal recovered, until they have concluded.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any ships of the HMS Prince of Wales task group currently en route to the Far East will visit Malaysia or Singapore.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

While the exact details of Operation Highmast cannot be released to preserve operational security, I can confirm that port visits to Malaysia and Singapore are part of the deployment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any human remains being held alongside the metal looted from the wreck of the former HMS Prince of Wales.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has not received any information to suggest any human remains have been found.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the British airstrikes conducted in Yemen on 29 April were in support of Operation Poseidon Archer or Operation Rough Rider.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We do not comment on other nations’ military operations but can confirm that the UK airstrike on 29 April 2025 was conducted against a Houthi military target in Yemen. The action was undertaken jointly with the US to uphold the freedom of navigation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of raising the retirement age of reservists from 60 to 65.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way.

Alongside the Strategic Defence Review’s interest in Reserves, and in tandem with the transformational work already underway in Defence, I am reviewing the Reserves landscape, in a meaningful and impactful way, to ensure that we are making the most of the unique skills our Reserves offer Defence.

A total of 2,860 Reservists are aged between 55 and 60. Of those, 450 will turn 60 in 2025 if they remain on strength.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many reservists are aged between 55 and 60; and how many will be 60 in the next 12 months.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way.

Alongside the Strategic Defence Review’s interest in Reserves, and in tandem with the transformational work already underway in Defence, I am reviewing the Reserves landscape, in a meaningful and impactful way, to ensure that we are making the most of the unique skills our Reserves offer Defence.

A total of 2,860 Reservists are aged between 55 and 60. Of those, 450 will turn 60 in 2025 if they remain on strength.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of China's rare earth export restrictions on the defence sector's supply chain.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The (Ministry of Defence) MOD is actively engaged in de-risking critical defence supply chain vulnerabilities, working collaboratively across Government, with industry and our international partners, including NATO, to mitigate risks.

The Department recognises China's influence in global Rare Earth Element (REE) supply chains and the wide-ranging applications of REEs in the defence supply chain. MOD's initial assessment is that China's REE export restrictions pose a low risk to defence outputs at present. But we will keep this under constant review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to (a) maintain and (b) expand the Greater Lincolnshire Defence and Security Cluster.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government recognises the invaluable role Regional Defence and Security Clusters (RDSC) have played in the sector since the first such Cluster was instituted in 2020. Their success in bolstering collaboration between regional industry, academia, local Government and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and in connecting non-traditional SMEs to the Defence Supply Chain, has been reflected in the sustained expansion of the RDSC network. We welcome today’s launch of its latest member- East RDSC.

A key priority for the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy is to use Defence procurement and investment to actively generate wealth, boost export potential and create high quality jobs across all the nations and regions of the UK. RDSCs are vital partners in this endeavour and the MOD will be providing further support to them in due course, including via the recently-announced UK Defence Innovation and SME Support Centre.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many new build Chinook H-47(ER) aircraft will be supplied to the armed forces in the next four years.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The MOD's Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme will commence delivery in 2027, with fourteen H-47(ER) to be delivered within the next four years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the new National Armaments Director Group will be fully operational.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Armaments Director Group will become fully operational through phased implementation and will continue to mature and increase its support to operational readiness as it evolves in line with strategic priorities.

Financial Year 2025-26 is a transitional year, with quarterly reform programme milestones and the bulk of the transformation expected to be complete by Financial Year 2026-27.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the UK Defence Innovation organisation will become fully operational; and who it will be led by.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will be up and running with an initial operating model by July 2025, transitioning to full operational capability in July 2026. It will be led by a suitably empowered Senior Civil Servant and be accountable to the National Armaments Director (NAD) and the Secretary of State for Defence for its delivery, and closely connected to relevant other Government Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of which historic medal claims are currently under review by the Independent Advisory Military Sub-Committee (AMSC).

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Advisory Military Sub-Committee (AMSC) last met on 28 March 2025. The following list consists of all the medallic recognition claims which were considered during that meeting and remain under review, pending the sourcing of further evidence and information. These claims seek to establish new medals or institute new clasps for existing medals, and will be further considered when the AMSC next meets on 9 July 2025.

General Service Medal (GSM) 1918 with Korean War post-armistice clasp.

Greek Civil War Medal.

GSM 1962 and GSM 2008 with Afghanistan Clasp.

GSM 1962 and GSM 2008 with Iraq Clasp.

GSM 1962 and GSM 2008 with Middle East Clasp.

In addition to the above list, new claims received after 28 March 2025 will be considered by the AMSC when it next meets on 9 July 2025.

Any cases approved by the AMSC will then be considered by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee) and, if supported, would be passed to His Majesty The King for his approval.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 46138 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many of the FPV drones procured by his Department are for use by the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force, (c) Royal Navy and (d) Royal Marines.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Aside from MOD’s procurement of circa 30,000 FPV drones for Ukraine the Army has procured 450 FPVs with a further 3,000 for delivery August 2025. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have procured a small number of FPVs for test and evaluation by the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority and the Air and Space Warfare Centre. Details on specific FPV drones for operational purposes are sensitive and therefore any further commentary, including details of NATO stock numbers, would be inappropriate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 46138 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many variants within the FPV drones procured by his Department have a NATO stock number; and what those stock numbers are.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Aside from MOD’s procurement of circa 30,000 FPV drones for Ukraine the Army has procured 450 FPVs with a further 3,000 for delivery August 2025. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have procured a small number of FPVs for test and evaluation by the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority and the Air and Space Warfare Centre. Details on specific FPV drones for operational purposes are sensitive and therefore any further commentary, including details of NATO stock numbers, would be inappropriate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Defence and Security Accelerator is funded.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence and Security Accelerator operating costs are centrally funded by the Ministry of Defence.

Funding for Defence and Security innovation competitions come from the competition sponsor.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how the security and defence partnership will make the United Kingdom more secure.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 44 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the change in the UK’s participation in EU (a) training and (b) education activities.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 44 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, under what circumstances the UK will facilitate the participation of the EU in UK-led training activities.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 44 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, under what circumstances the EU will allow the UK to increase participation in European Security and Defence College activities.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 48 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, if he will list the groups that UK posts in third countries will cooperate with.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 51 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, under what circumstances he would consider (a) seconding staff (i) from and (ii) to their respective institutions and (b) collaborating on joint training initiatives.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 61 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, if he will report the regular reviews of progress made in the SDP to Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide compensation to veterans, and where appropriate their descendants, for injuries or illnesses caused by radiation exposure from nuclear tests (1) in the UK, or (2) authorised by the UK.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their Service and the huge contribution they have made to the UK’s security.

Around 22,000 Nuclear Test Veterans were considered in an analysis of the data in the Nuclear Weapons Test Participants Study – a long-term epidemiological study of the health of veterans who were present at UK nuclear testing between 1952 and 1967. Four analyses of this data to date, concluded that Nuclear Test Veterans have a similar incidence of cancer and, in general, a longer healthy life expectancy than the control group. The possibility that test participation caused an increase in risk of leukaemia cannot be ruled out. Our policy is therefore to award a war pension for claims for leukaemia having clinical onset within 25 years of presence at test sites.

Nuclear Test Veterans and their entitled family members are already eligible to apply for compensation under the War Pension Scheme. There is no time limit for claiming, however if a claim is made more than seven years after termination of service, as would be the case for Nuclear Test Veterans, the claimant is granted the benefit of doubt when there is uncertainty about whether the disablement is linked to or worsened by their service. Factors such as being on operations or in a hazardous environment can support a service-related claim. Claims handlers will review historical records, including medical records, to establish a causal link to service for Nuclear Test Veterans seeking compensation.

This Government has no current plans to develop a specific compensation scheme for either Nuclear Test Veterans or their families.

Ministers are keen to engage with the issue of records head on and have repeatedly met with MPs and groups in the nuclear test veteran community to discuss a range of topics. The Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns, has commissioned officials across the Ministry of Defence, as a priority, to look at what information may be held by the Department. An update on the progress to date will be provided before summer recess.

Four analyses of an independent epidemiological study have previously been carried out, the latest report was published in 2022. This report concluded that overall levels of mortality and cancer incidence in nuclear test veterans have continued to be similar to those in a matched Service control group, and lower than in the general population.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on an unified security clearance system across the (a) Ministry for Defence, (b) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (c) Home Office for prospective suppliers in the defence sector.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm that there is a unified security clearance system for His Majesty's Government, provided by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV), which is part of the Cabinet Office. UKSV is the single government vetting provider of National Security Vetting, including for suppliers, or prospective suppliers, where personnel require a national security clearance. I am meeting cross government colleagues shortly to continue His Majesty’s Government co-ordination of our vetting efforts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 33 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of UK-EU cooperation on (a) research and (b) analysis of hybrid threats.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 35 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of holding regular exchanges on the resilience of critical infrastructure in Europe on national security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 28 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of holding regular exchanges on space security on UK space sovereign capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 28 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, who will attend the regular exchanges on space security on behalf of the Government.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 25 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of regular exchanges with the EU on the development of (a) UK defence readiness and (b) the UK defence industry on national security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 23 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether the EU and UK dialogues on maritime security will involve the creation of new UK initiatives in the maritime domain.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 27 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what steps he is taking to establish an administrative arrangement with the European Defence Agency.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 51 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of collaborating on joint training initiatives on UK operational commitments.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 51 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of seconding staff from the UK to a EU institution on operations.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 51 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of seconding staff from the EU to a UK institution on operations.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 23 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, if he will list the third countries which the UK will share information on maritime security capacity building initiatives.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core European bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to develop battlefield nuclear weapons.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It will remain the case that none of the UK’s nuclear weapons are designed for tactical use during a conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has a line in his Departmental budget for costs arising from the planned transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Costs relating to the Chagos agreement will be incurred from financial year 2026-27. These are being considered as part of the wider Government engagement on the second phase of the Spending Review, which concludes on 11 June 2025. The deal secures the unrestricted control of the Diego Garcia military base for the coming century and beyond. The deal is backed by our US, Canadian, Indian, Australian, New Zealand and NATO allies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13435 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, whether there are non-routine circumstances in which (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) senior members of the armed forces remain eligible to use military helicopters for official travel.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Ministry of Defence policy allows for senior leader use of military helicopters in emergency circumstances, linked to matters of immediate national security only.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Royal Navy vessels are currently equipped with the naval strike missile; when they expect the naval strike missile to equip the type 23 frigate and type 45 destroyer fleets; and whether any Royal Navy vessels equipped with the naval strike missile have deployed alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy is in the process of outfitting Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to eleven of its Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers in collaboration with the Norwegian Government. These missiles will provide a potent new surface-to-surface maritime and land strike capability for the Surface Fleet.

HMS SOMERSET, PORTLAND and RICHMOND are now fitted with NSM. HMS RICHMOND is part of Operation HIGHMAST, accompanying HMS PRINCE OF WALES as part of the Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Outfitting further ships with NSM will be progressed according to SDR outcomes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which hon. Members received advanced copies of his Department's policy paper entitled Defence Command Paper 2023: Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world, published on 18 July 2023, from his Department's messenger service on 18 July 2023; and at what time of day.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Ahead of the publication of the DCPR 2023, the Ministry of Defence sent an advance copy of the Defence Secretary's statement to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey. This met the requirement to give the Speaker sight of the statement at least 45 minutes before the Oral Statement started.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) industry bodies, (b) defence industry companies, (c) media organisations and (d) other non-Government bodies or people were given access to the Strategic Defence Review 2025 ahead of its publication; and at what times.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was published on 2 June 2025, setting Defence's strategic direction for the next decade. Before the Secretary of State made his Statement in the House of Commons at 1700, the Ministry of Defence organised for selected stakeholders (industry, media, trade associations and think tanks) to read the SDR under strict embargo, with an official present. This was designed to inform key stakeholders.

We think the limit of 1,350 should be raised. Many commonwealth citizens would commit long term and positively contribute to British Society.

We want the Government to build a nationwide air raid/civil defence siren system in every town and city and test it regularly.

Lift the ban of face tattoos in our military.

Found: Daniels, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Flare Bright, an aerospace SME, added that the MoD

Found: . • The UK Hydrographic Office,27 part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), ensures the safety of UK seas

Found: parliament.uk - www.parliament.uk/CommonsBTC - @CommonsBTC Lord Coaker Minister of State Ministry of Defence

Found: the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, Minister Doughty at the FCDO and Minister Coaker at the MoD

Found: We are writing to the Ministry of Defence in similar terms.

Found: '24 360/541 (67%) 968/1167 (83%) 17 July ’24 to 6 Dec 2024 202/257 (79%) 591/737 (80%) The MoD

Found: The National Space Operations Centre is an excellent example of UKSA (civ) and MoD working together

Found: It has since been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the US Space Force, Japanese Ministry of Defence

Found: (MOD )(incl.

Found: National Space Strategy and its partnership with ESA; across other government departments including MoD

Found: RELEASE OFFICIAL-FOR PUBLIC RELEASE# Transfer to Home Office (JMSC Funding RDEL element) Transfer to MOD

Found: UKDI will significantly simplify and consolidate the MOD innovation landscape, drive significantly

Found: Government should pilot 2–3 challenge-led procurement demonstrators in departments such as MoD, DHSC

Found: ex-student accommodation, and former military sites that were provided to the Home Office by the Ministry of Defence

Found: The personal is global political. 8 UK FCDO and MoD, ‘UK women, peace and security national action plan

Found: The FCDO’s ability to mobilize resources and coordinate interdepartmental input (including MOD and

Found: Russia, particularly through the mercenary Wagner Group (now largely controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defence

Found: This is firstly because each of these departments (FCDO; MOD; Business and Trade) are involved in issuing

Found: -A613- 8D5738541A30/DefenceAndSecurity#contribution-DB32B970-42F2-4B1B-A92C-54CA0B28BA41 8 Ministry of Defence

Found: It is also three years since the Ministry of Defence last published its once-annual Defence Equipment

Found: .  A Cross-Departmental International Technology Task Force, including representatives from FCDO, MoD

Found: Skills development should be promoted within Government, especially key departments such as the Ministry of Defence

Found: Organisation Annual Report 2023: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/wtr23_e/wtr23_e.pdf 3 UK Ministry of Defence

Found: In addition, our work with the Ministry of Defence using Human Machine Teaming has demonstrated that

Found: Growth Board, and a focus on developing innovative domestic start-ups that will have greater access to MoD

Found: The MoD could fund a baseline level of production or maintain warm production lines for munitions, ships

Found: Over half of MoD spending with UK businesses was concentrated in London and the Southeast last year;

Found: progress has been made, it has overwhelmingly occurred within departmental silos, (notably within MoD

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of civilian casualties from US and UK military action in Yemen (1) since March and (2) between January 2024 and January 2025.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

In planning its operations, the Ministry of Defence takes the greatest possible care to minimise the risk of civilian casualties. Every mission carried out by Royal Air Force aircraft is assessed carefully, including for any evidence that civilian casualties resulting from British military action have been caused. All instances must be confirmed to Parliament.

On 29 April, UK forces participated in a joint operation with US forces against a Houthi military target in Yemen which careful intelligence analysis had identified was being used to manufacture long-range attack drones. This was the first UK strike on the Houthis since 30 May 2024, and was again conducted in self-defence and in line with the UK's longstanding policy.

We do not comment on other nations' military operations.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025) and the Exchange of Letters concerning Article 11 of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, which departments will fund the payments for the economic partnership including the (a) annual payments and (b) 25-year development framework grants; and whether these funds will be classified as development aid.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. None of the funds will be classed as development aid.

Found: Ministry of Defence (MOD) MOD spending has largely followed the pattern for government spending as a

Found: • The current financial arrangements that r ingfence nuclear spending within the MOD budget must

Found: Et samlet Folketing bag national handlingsplan mod PFAS.

Found: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) defines land power as: The ability of land forces to exert decisive control

Found: The Ministry of Defence says specific capabilities at Diego Garcia include seismic monitoring for the

Found: BARONESS COFFEY _ Clause 101, page 134, line 13, at end insert— “(iii) that is provided by the Ministry of Defence

Found: BARONESS COFFEY _ Clause 101, page 134, line 13, at end insert— “(iii) that is provided by the Ministry of Defence

Found: activities to children, such as sports clubs, music, dance or drama groups, youth clubs, and Ministry of Defence

Found: BARONESS COFFEY _ Clause 101, page 134, line 13, at end insert— “(iii) that is provided by the Ministry of Defence

Found: BARONESS COFFEY _ Clause 101, page 134, line 13, at end insert— “(iii) that is provided by the Ministry of Defence

Found: Ministry of Defence Police. d. The following military law enforcement bodies: i.

Found: rhywogaethau a’r gweithgareddau yr wyf yn gwneud cais i gael Tystysgrif Cymhwysedd ar eu cyfer ac fy mod

Found: 0.0526315789473684 0 0 18 3 0.166666666666667 1 0.0555555555555556 27 3 0.111111111111111 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Ministry of Defence

Found: 0.0 18 3 0.166666666666667 1 0.0555555555555556 27 3 0.111111111111111 0 0.0 4 0 0.0 0 0.0 Ministry of Defence

Found: The data may also differ from daily figures previously published by the Ministry of Defence, due to the

Found: nations and regions of the UK, with around 239,000 direct and indirect jobs supported through Ministry of Defence

Found: In case of doubt, the Ministry of Defence should be consulted. 3.12.7 In exceptional cases, where examination

Found: already supports 200 high-skilled UK jobs, with a further 300 positions to be created across the Ministry of Defence

Found: More than £2 billion a year is already spent by the Ministry of Defence with industry organisations of

Found: Mr Blazeby has previously held senior civil service roles with the Ministry of Defence, the Independent

Found: Major milestone achieved in MOD submarine dismantling project

Found: DASA’s Early Investment in DIEM Analytics Founded in 2011 as a consulting company by former Ministry of Defence

Found: Staff to the PM, No.10 - ACOBA recommendation Fallon, Michael - Secretary of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence

Found: More than £2 billion a year is already spent by the Ministry of Defence with industry organisations of

Found: DSEI Japan Strategic Command was proud to lead the Ministry of Defence (MOD) presence at DSEI Japan in

Found: Monitoring and Evaluation MCA Maritime and Coastguard Agency MMO Marine Management Organisation MOD

Found: nations and regions of the UK, with around 239,000 direct and indirect jobs supported through Ministry of Defence

Found: support the core nuclear mission 2025-2028 CE6 Support the discharge of NDA obligations with respect to MOD

Found: particularly the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), DESNZ ONR Corporate Plan 2025/26 35 and Ministry of Defence

Found: relationship with government, particularly the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), DESNZ and Ministry of Defence

Found: − MoD generally (including but not limited to Dstl and DASA): number of open cases and average duration

Found: − MoD generally (including but not limited to Dstl and DASA): number of open cases and average duration

Found: Ministry of Defence Police. d. The following military law enforcement bodies: i.

Found: DRAFT Handling Instruction: Not to be shared beyond MOD and the supplier(s) named in this document Contract

Found: Adviser Non-financial professional and personal Pre-symptom Health – unpaid advisor to Ministry of Defence

Found: Table 18: Comparison of the base case and PSA results with PAS Cost, £ QALYs ICER (£/QALY) Efgartigi mod

Found: Mod Pathol 2020; 33:871– 879. Modern Pathology. 2021;34(5):1031-2. 10. Cancer Research UK.

Found: Table 18: Comparison of the base case and PSA results with PAS Cost, £ QALYs ICER (£/QALY) Efgartigi mod

Found: Medtronic Medtronic International Trading Sarl Middlesex University Migraine Action Migraine Trust Ministry of Defence

Found: Medtronic Medtronic International Trading Sarl Middlesex University Migraine Action Migraine Trust Ministry of Defence

Found: Ministry of Defence Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists National Clinical Guideline

Found: Merck Sharp & Dohme UK Ltd Migraine Action Migraine Trust Ministry of Defence MIPCA Musculoskeletal

Found: Black History Month events DfT £2,800 ● Employer for Carers Membership ● Iftar Event MOD

Found: ● Department for Work and Pensions ● Home Office ● HM Revenue & Customs ● Ministry of Defence

Found: including accommodation provided for military personnel and their families by or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence

Found: including accommodation provided for military personnel and their families by or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence

Found: including accommodation provided for military personnel and their families by or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence

Found: including accommodation provided for military personnel and their families by or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence

Found: including accommodation provided for military personnel and their families by or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence

Found: The group considered the TOR and membership of the Joint Group.Martin Bell noted MOD integration is having

Found: 00:00:00Meeting / with UK MinisterAlistair Carns MP, Minister for Veterans and People in the Ministry of Defence

Found: Sensitivity Assessment MarLIN The Marine Life Information Network MCZ Marine Conservation Zone MOD

Found: of Birds Scotland (“RSPB”) • UK Government (DESNZ, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (“MCA”), Ministry of Defence

Found: Ministry of Defence (MOD) strategic interests relevant to Scotland are: • The retainment of the capability

Found: socio-economic risks identified for the West region are: • Disruption and displacement of Ministry of Defence

Found: oversight powers for OEGW in respect of certain reserved bodies operating in Wales (such as the Ministry of Defence

Found: With regard to the potential impact on low flying military aircraft the MOD was consulted as part of