Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions 2026
2827 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ajax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107516More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department paid to General Dynamics in relation to the delivery of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.
Answer: As at 22 January 2026, the Ministry of Defence has paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £4.664 billion in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which vehicle platforms is he currently assessing the feasibility of equipping the M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
Answer: The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of th...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of equipping Ares with the Northrop Grumman M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
Answer: The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of th...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the medical status update on personnel injured during Exercise Titan Storm, provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces during the Ajax debate on 14th January 2026, how many of those personnel
Answer: The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical informa...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax-family vehicles were at each Capability Drop status as at 22 November 2025.
Answer: At 22 November 2025, the following number of Ajax vehicles were at each Capability Drop: CD1 – 59CD2 – 84CD3 – 172 Total Produced – 315Total Contract - 589 Only Capability Drop 3 vehicles are fielded to Army units.
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what requirement has his Department specified for (a) anti-thermal and (b) anti IR coatings to the new rifle within Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterans: VisasMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to question 105591 on Veterans: Visas, what issues he has encountered in the delivery of a visa fee waiver for dependents of Commonwealth veterans.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Home Office on the Government’s commitment to waive visa fees for non-UK veterans and their dependants. This work is ongoing, and the Department will update Parliament in the usual way once cross ...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people from the Queens Royal Hussars have been diagnosed as suffering from noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle (a) before and (b) after 23 July 2025.
Answer: The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical informa...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107230More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many individuals from the Household Cavalry Regiment have been diagnosed as with noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle a) before and b) after 23 July 2025.
Answer: The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical informa...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made it a requirement to use Aubert & Duval Armad steel to manufacture barrels for rifle variants within Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFloods: HuntingdonDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Gifford farm development on flooding via Parsons Drove drain in Huntingdon constituency.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) was consulted on the emerging Local Plan, which sets out potential locations for development in Huntingdonshire, and responded regarding the proposed Gifford’s Park site. In the EA’s response, it advised:A detailed Flood Risk A...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger Tanks: ExportsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107227More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the MARTE Project on future defence export opportunities for Challenger 3.
Answer: Challenger 3 is the centrepiece of the British Army’s armoured modernisation programme and will deliver a step change in lethality, survivability and digital integration. The Department continues to explore export opportunities for Challenger 3 and its ca...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the maximum weight of the new rifle under Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is its concept phase. One of the primary outputs of this phase will be user requirements. These will consider the full range of performance characteristics including maximum weight and coating requirements.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFleet Solid Support Ships: Iron and SteelMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106666More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the raw material shortage at Liberty Steel's Dalzell plant on the construction of the three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Answer: The current assessment of the potential impact of the raw material shortage at Liberty Steel's Dalzell plant, on the construction of the three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, is deemed low.The sourcing of steel for the FSS p...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNavy: Middle EastMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106665More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to replace HMS Middleton in the Middle East upon its return to the UK.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard UK interests. The Royal Navy remains committed to regional stability through its enduring presence under Operation KIPION, including the UK Maritime Com...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRivers: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to enforce waterway maintenance responsibilities by riparian owners in Huntingdonshire.
Answer: In Huntingdonshire, the Environment Agency (EA) has undertaken targeted enforcement across Brampton Brook, Alconbury Brook, Ellington Brook and St Ives to encourage voluntary compliance and to inform and educate landowners on riparian responsibilities. Th...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104940 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will the Environment Agency have completed their assessment of the potential f
Answer: The full business case for the St Ives Staunch sluice project is currently planned for completion in late Spring 2026. This will include a high-level assessment of the benefits, impacts and costs of proposed options.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the current asset condition of a) Brownshill and b) St Ives staunch.
Answer: The current asset condition of Brownshill Staunch sluice is rated as poor (gates 1 and 2) and very poor (gate 3). The current asset condition of St Ives Staunch sluice is rated as poor. The Environment Agency carries out an accredited visual inspection of...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106661More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 105593 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will the list of projects to receive Government funding in 26/27 be determined
Answer: Delivering on the Plan for Change, this Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. The final list of schemes...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106660More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104939 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will phase 1 of the gate refurbishment project be completed.
Answer: Phase 1 of the gate refurbishment project is expected to be completed by 31 March 2026.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: Compulsory PurchaseDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2026 to question 103968 on High Speed 2 Line: Compulsory Purchase, how many of the 1,723 properties managed were acquired via compulsory purchase.
Answer: The majority of land and property that is acquired by compulsory purchase is not held in management or let but is utilised for the construction of the railway. Within HS2 Ltd’s managed portfolio, there are 73 properties (inclusive of residential, commerci...
Answered 24 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordTour de France: TelevisionDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106658More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential benefits of negotiating free-to-air television coverage of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Depart in the UK.
Answer: Hosting the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Départs in 2027 will cement Britain's reputation as a destination for major international sporting events. These events will stimulate growth, attract new visitors and leave a lasting legacy for a...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSecondary Education: CambridgeshireDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106657More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she made of the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation upon the secondary school places in Huntingdonshire.
Answer: The department is reviewing all local government reorganisation proposals to consider the potential impact on children’s services, including school places. Huntingdonshire is in tranche three of the local government reorganisation process and the statutor...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of adopting a short stroke piston operated system rather than direct gas impingement for any of the rifle variants tendered for development under Project Gray
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential benefits of including an upper receiver which can accommodate .300 blackout as part of Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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