Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is permitted to defeat crewed a) fixed-wing or b) rotary-wing platforms.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is designed primarily to counter incoming missiles and other immediate air or surface threats, with its employment governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Any use of the system against crewed fixed‑ or rotary‑wing aircraft would be considered on a case‑by‑case basis in line with international law and operational necessity, noting that specific Rules of Engagement profiles are classified and protected from disclosure to ensure operational ambiguity and effectiveness.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the potential cancellation of the the Ajax programme and (b) levels of Ajax export contracts on levels of employment in Merthyr Tydfil.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Armoured Cavalry Programme's contract has a range of remedies available including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate should its cancellation ever be necessary. While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory and future exports is a matter for General Dynamics Land Systems UK, I have frequent engagement with representatives from General Dynamics, the Welsh Government and the local MPs regarding the Ajax platform. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Asked by: Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he will discuss with Ukraine their deployment to the Straight of Hormuz with the two former Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters which were gifted to Ukraine but which been prevented from transiting to the Black Sea owing to the 1936 Montreux Convention.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Decisions on employment of Ukrainian military assets rests with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment further on this specific issue.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary regarding the application of merchant shipping regulations covering RFA merchant seafarers’ maternity and paternity rights.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) maintains a positive, equitable workplace for all seafarers. RFA employees benefit from comprehensive employment rights and conditions well exceeding Maritime Labour Convention standards, including robust maternity, paternity and wider welfare provisions. The RFA’s commitment to fair treatment, safety and inclusive support ensures all personnel are protected throughout their service.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help increase the number of defence jobs in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is actively supporting the growth of defence jobs in both Surrey and Surrey Heath through substantial investment in the South East region. Currently, the MOD’s expenditure in this area amounts to £7.85 billion, which helps sustain one of the highest concentrations of defence-related employment in the UK. Specifically, in Surrey and Surrey Heath, BAE Systems has been awarded a £285 million contract by the MOD to provide critical support for the Royal Navy’s Shared Infrastructure, Combat Management Systems (CMS), and warship networks. This contract alone helps maintain approximately 200 jobs across the UK, including important roles based in Frimley. More broadly, these investments contribute to supporting around 1,060 full-time defence-related jobs per 100,000 people across the wider South East region, encompassing both Surrey and Surrey Heath.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department are reliant on a visa for employment.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As at 5 March 2026, 163 individuals are recorded as being employed on a visa by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) or its Arm’s Length Bodies.
MOD Civil Service jobs generally require candidates to be either UK nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or EEA nationals. Foreign nationals with valid visas, such as Skilled Worker Visas, are eligible to apply but must be able to provide evidence of their right to work.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on delivering (a) investment and (b) employment in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet through the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Industrial Strategy sets out how our national security is defended by our Armed Forces, that they are only as strong as the defence sector which equips them, including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a unique asset to Government, which we continue to invest in, working closely across Government to ensure the seafarers who work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have the employment conditions that reflect their essential work.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which crewing agencies supply merchant seafarers to deliver MoD contracts.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not contract directly with crewing agencies. Where maritime outputs are delivered by civilian mariners, prime contractors are responsible for selecting, employing and managing any crewing agencies they use. As such, the Department does not hold a centrally maintained list of crewing agencies engaged by contractors delivering MOD maritime services.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what oversight his department carries out of crewing agencies supplying merchant seafarers to deliver MoD contracts.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Where civilian mariners are employed by contractors to deliver Ministry of Defence (MOD) maritime outputs, the Department ensures appropriate oversight through the contractual framework. Contractors are required to comply with UK maritime law, the Maritime Labour Convention, and all relevant safety, welfare and certification standards.
Prime contractors hold responsibility for selecting and managing any crewing agencies they use. The MOD monitors compliance through routine contract management, including assurance activity, audits, and safety reporting requirements. These oversight mechanisms ensure that contractors maintain suitably qualified and experienced personnel to deliver MOD tasks.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the medical discharge process on (a) financial, (b) housing and (c) wellbeing outcomes for Service families.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Tri-Service Medical Policy (Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950) sets out the standards and guidance for assessing medical conditions across the Armed Forces. Whilst JSP 950 provides consistency across the Services in terms of procedures and governance, each Service applies these standards according to its own operational demands given that personnel may find themselves subject to significantly different environments and roles. This includes medical boards which have the authority to recommend medical categories that may result in a Service Person’s discharge from the Armed Forces.
Defence recognises that discharge for medical reasons can have implications for financial stability, housing, and wellbeing. The discharge process is therefore designed to mitigate these risks through coordinated case management, warm handovers to civilian services, and the provision of compensation where eligible, based on a structured timeline of actions commencing nine months prior. Actions include final medical and dental reviews, resettlement interviews, pension and administrative preparation, and tailored support for those who are wounded, injured, or sick.
All personnel discharged for medical reasons are automatically referred to Veterans Services to ensure that they and their families can continue to access tailored support with health, housing, employment, and welfare as they transition into civilian life. Feeback is collected from those using Veterans Services, as well as the Career Transition Partnership, both of which routinely capture insight on the challenges encountered during discharge and subsequent transition to civilian life.
This feedback informs continuous improvement work within both Defence medical pathways and transition policy. We recognise the need to develop a cohered Occupational Health Service to simplify policy and processes, improve patient experience, and better support the retention of Armed Forces personnel. The new Joint Defence Termination check list, being created in conjunction with the single Services aims, in particular, to protect those leaving Service earlier than they expected by ensuring all safeguarding steps are completed.