Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the Defence Investment Plan before Christmas.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will determine how Defence intends to realise the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review and it is currently due for publication this year.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the number of operational Royal Navy warships in this financial year.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Currently the Royal Navy has 52 Surface Ships in service, held at the appropriate level of readiness to meet operational commitments.
The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. The Fleet Solid Support ships similarly represent the renewal of RFA solid support capability providing the ammunition, stores and spares to sustain global operations.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many one-star and above officers were serving in the military on 1 June, and how many civil servants of a grade equivalent to ‘one star’ and above were employed in the Civil Service in the Ministry of Defence.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The requested data for individuals serving in the military was not gathered on the specified date. However, as of both 1 April and 1 July 2025, there were 551 military one-star officers (NATO Rank OF-6) and above.
As of 1 June 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and its four Executive Agencies - DE&S, SDA, DSTL, and UKHO - employed 518 Civil Servants at one-star equivalent grade or above. This figure includes personnel outside the Senior Civil Service but of equivalent grade, with Executive Agency grades aligned to the closest Civil Service equivalents where applicable.
Quarterly UK service personnel statistics are published on gov.uk at the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025
The latest MOD biannual civilian personnel report for October 2025 can be found at the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-october-2025/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-october-2025#further-information
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rules have been relaxed on Sea Cadets attending memorial and ceremonial events where alcoholic drinks will be available for adults.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government has not relaxed the rules regarding Sea Cadets attending memorial and ceremonial events where alcohol is present. Safeguarding remains paramount, and existing guidance continues to ensure that cadets are appropriately supervised and that their participation in such events is managed in line with youth protection standards.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether approval has now been given for Sea Cadets to take part in rifle range shooting on the same basis as all other cadet forces; and, if so, whether new armouries will be required.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) operates in accordance with policies set by the Marine Society and Sea Cadet Charity. In doing so, SCC remain compliant with Ministry of Defence (MOD) regulations governing all cadet forces. Cadets aged 12 and over may participate in rifle range shooting under MOD cadet force conditions. Those under 12 are limited to prone air rifle use.
Rifles may be carried for ceremonial duties with formal approval, as part of the SCC’s structured advancement syllabus and drill training, in accordance with Sea Cadet Regulations. New armouries/secure rooms will be required in some locations to meet MOD standards for secure storage and sustainment of cadet weapon systems.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether approval has been given for guards formed of Sea Cadets to carry rifles on the same basis as all the other cadet forces.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) operates in accordance with policies set by the Marine Society and Sea Cadet Charity. In doing so, SCC remain compliant with Ministry of Defence (MOD) regulations governing all cadet forces. Cadets aged 12 and over may participate in rifle range shooting under MOD cadet force conditions. Those under 12 are limited to prone air rifle use.
Rifles may be carried for ceremonial duties with formal approval, as part of the SCC’s structured advancement syllabus and drill training, in accordance with Sea Cadet Regulations. New armouries/secure rooms will be required in some locations to meet MOD standards for secure storage and sustainment of cadet weapon systems.
Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the refit of HMS Victorious will be completed and when will it re-join the nuclear submarine fleet.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding details of when HMS VICTORIOUS will complete her refit and re-join the Fleet as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.