Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prepare for a new Russian military mobilisation for its invasion of Ukraine in autumn 2026.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Prime Minister Burnham visited Kyiv on Ukrainian Independence Day for his first international visit and reiterated the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine and its independence.
We continue to liaise closely with the Ukrainian Government to ensure the capabilities we provide meet the demands of the conflict as it evolves.
Through the UK role as co-chair of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, we have successfully raised pledges of over $80 billion in military help to Ukraine. The UK will continue to drive international support to meet Ukraine's needs at the next meeting on the 8 September.
As emphasised by the Prime Minister in Kyiv, Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has undertaken analysis on the likelihood of (a) Egypt, (b) Japan, (c) Saudi Arabia, (d) South Korea, (e) Turkey and (f) Taiwan obtaining independent nuclear deterrents.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK keeps the global nuclear proliferation landscape under close and continuous review. Any further nuclear proliferation would not make the world a safer place and would undermine the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which remains the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation architecture. I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that assessments on proliferation are not publicly released.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the disposal of land at Parsons Barracks; and what land at MOD Donnington he plans to retain for strategic defence purposes.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Both Parsons and Venning Barracks have been identified for future disposal when they become surplus to military requirements as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation work and Future Soldier: Transformation of the British Army reforms. As this is not forecast to be before 2030, our assessments are still underway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has researched the potential need for Venning Barracks in delivering future strategic defence policy.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Both Parsons and Venning Barracks have been identified for future disposal when they become surplus to military requirements as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation work and Future Soldier: Transformation of the British Army reforms. As this is not forecast to be before 2030, our assessments are still underway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the HM Armed Forces Veteran ID card is accepted as photo identification by (a) banks, (b) foreign exchange services and (c) polling stations.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card was introduced to improve recognition of our veterans and provide an easier way to prove veteran status when accessing the services, discounts and concessions available to veterans.
The Veteran Card is now accepted within the identity checking policies of many organisations including as identification for voting in elections, where it is included on the list of photographic identifications accepted in polling stations as voter ID, in addition to the already accepted MOD Form 90 Defence Identity Card. The Veteran Card can also be used as evidence in Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks and for some domestic flights with some airlines.
It is important to note that it is not a formal identity document, and different organisations will have their own policies in this regard. Banks are required to follow specific regulations and standards for identity verification, which specify a small number of official identity documents, such as a passport or driving licence.
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs continually advocates for wider acceptance of the Veteran Card where possible within legislative and sector-specific constrains.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what research his Department has undertaken on the (a) disposal of Parsons Barracks and (b) use of that site for strategic defence purposes.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Both Parsons and Venning Barracks have been identified for future disposal when they become surplus to military requirements as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation work and Future Soldier: Transformation of the British Army reforms. As this is not forecast to be before 2030, our assessments are still underway.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has undertaken analysis on the likelihood of (a) Egypt, (b) Japan, (c) Saudi Arabia, (d) South Korea, (e) Turkey and (f) Taiwan obtaining independent nuclear deterrents.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Defence to second homeland security personnel to the Royal Military Police to identify and counter extreme right wing activity in His Majesty's Armed Forces.
Answered by Al Carns
The British Army takes far-right extremism extremely seriously and is fully equipped to act swiftly and decisively where necessary to uphold its high standards. Robust measures are firmly in place to prevent and address any such activity. At present, there are no plans to second homeland security personnel to the Royal Military Police, as the Army's existing frameworks and partnerships effectively manage the identification and countering of extreme right-wing behaviour within His Majesty's Armed Forces.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the quantity of ballistic missiles imported by Iran from China since June 2025.
Answered by Al Carns
The Ministry of Defence cannot comment on the specifics of the Iranian missile regime, as doing so could provide an advantage to those who may seek to harm the UK.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will ensure that UK Armed Forces personnel in (i) Oman, (ii) Bahrain, (iii) Qatar and (iv) Cyprus are provided with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective kit.
Answered by Al Carns
The requirement for personal protective equipment, is reviewed based on operational circumstances. For reasons of safeguarding operational security, we will not comment further.