Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Military Intelligence: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the addition of the Grok chatbot alongside Google’s generative AI engine on every unclassified and classified network throughout the US Department of War on
Answer: The US and UK remain steadfast allies and will continue to closely cooperate on a range of defence and security issues. But how the US Department of War manages the use of technology in their systems is a matter for them. The UK’s Defence AI Strategy reco...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great OuseDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105111More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason was the lock structure at St Ives on the River Great Ouse closed in 2024.
Answer: St Ives lock was not subject to closure during 2024.
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEels: River Great OuseDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105110More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on maintaining the eel pass at St Ives sluice in each year since 2015.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) is the asset owner for the St Ives eel pass. Historically, the EA’s maintenance work has also been combined with routine operational checks to ensure the sluice gates at St Ives function correctly, rather than issuing a separat...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAircraft Carriers: F-35 AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105109More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of the shipborne rolling vertical landing programme.
Answer: Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023; the results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner. When complete,...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105108More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Marines will be included within the scope of the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme.
Answer: At the present time, there are no plans to include the Royal Marines in Tranche 1 of the Gap Year. However, Tranche 1 will help to understand the impact and measure success, informing the future shape of the scheme. The Royal Navy is developing a one-year...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtilleryMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105107More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the planed timeline for replacing the L118 105mm Light Gun.
Answer: An assessment of the future capability requirements remains ongoing. No decisions on a potential replacement have yet been taken.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: NoiseMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105106More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 98880 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, whether concerns were raised by the (a) Defence Science and Technology Lab and (b) Defence Equipment & Support on the accuracy o
Answer: There have been no concerns on the accuracy of the calculator since 2021.Work was undertaken to address concerns raised about the accuracy of the findings of the calculator from both DSTL and Defence Equipment and Support staff prior to 2021. Recent evide...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105105More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when is the assembly of Ajax-family vehicles due to be completed at Merthyr Tydfil.
Answer: Assembly of all 589 Ajax platforms is forecast to be completed by December 2028.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105104More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax vehicles with identified faults were (a) manufactured and assembled in Spain and (b) manufactured in Spain and assembled in Wales.
Answer: No Ajax vehicles have been manufactured and assembled in Spain.No Ajax vehicles have been manufactured in Spain and assembled in Wales.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105103More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contractual payments to General Dynamics for the Ajax programme have been made since 1 January 2025; and on which dates were they made.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £330 million in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme between 1 January 2025 and 12 January 2026. I am unable to publish details of the milestones and payment schedule as thi...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105102More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax-family vehicles have completed factory acceptance testing.
Answer: The Ajax programme utilises a Joint Acceptance Group to undertake acceptance testing. All 185 capability drop 3 vehicles have been through this process.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the 11 limitations of use on Ajax vehicles in September 2021 that were critical to achieving initial operating capability.
Answer: While it would be inappropriate to release details of the 11 limitations of use identified in the NAO report for security reasons, as a complete list of criteria could, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces, those limitations...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the order of 589 Ajax hulls have now been built by General Dynamics.
Answer: All 589 Ajax hulls have been produced.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNuclear WeaponsCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105099More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is next in the Nuclear Firing Chain after the Prime Minister; and under what circumstances is the Prime Ministerial Directive superseded.
Answer: As the honourable Member should know and in line with the policy under successive governments, the most sensitive operational details of our continuous at sea deterrent are obviously not disclosed publicly.
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: NoiseMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 to Question 95908 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, how many Ajax users have had their hearing (a) decline and (b) be downgraded following audiometer protocols after crewing an Aj
Answer: To obtain the information required to answer the hon. Member’s question in full would incur disproportionate costs due to the amount of data that would need to be obtained.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordShipbuilding: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of new vessels, intended to support operations at HM Naval Base Clyde, procured by Serco as part of the Royal Navy harbour and support craft element of the Defenc
Answer: Vessels being procured as part of the Defence Marine Services-Next Generation In-Port Services will not be built in China and future maintenance of the vessels will take place in the UK. This Government is stepping up our support for UK shipbuilders. We a...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the feasibility of using the Water Environment Improvement Fund to maintain the sluice gates at (a) Brownshill and (b) St Ives.
Answer: The Water Environment Investment Fund (WEIF) is designed to improve the health and resilience of water environments through a partnership-led, catchment-based approach. Its focus is on delivering environmental enhancements, supporting biodiversity, and se...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFloods: CambridgeshireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment was made by her Department of the recommendations within the Section 19 report regarding flooding in St Ives in 2024 prior to the decision by the Environment Agency to
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has reviewed a range of data and evidence relating to the St Ives Staunch Sluice and Lock, including hydraulic modelling and analysis of recent flood events. The EA’s assessment has confirmed that St Ives Staunch Sluice provide...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEelsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total cost is of the Mildenhall eel pass.
Answer: Turf Lock Fish passage project at Mildenhall was developed and funded in partnership as part of the catchment-based approach to help improve our water environments. The project was delivered over 5 years as part of the Water Environment Improvement Fund (...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential benefit to flood alleviation of replacing St Ives sluice gates with a weir.
Answer: The Environment Agency is assessing the potential flood alleviation benefits and impacts of a range of options, including the replacing of the St Ives sluice with a weir, through the current project development. The project’s objective is to maintain the ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated cost is of fixing all sluice gates at (a) Brownshill and (b) St Ives.
Answer: The gate refurbishment project is currently undergoing phase 1 which includes inspections, surveys and testing to determine all aspects of phase 2 work required.
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, what was the complete list of criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) that was met on 23 July 2025.
Answer: The Armoured Cavalry Programme met all pre-agreed elements required to confirm Initial Operation Capability on 23 July 2025. The criteria spanned across all recognised Defence Lines of Development including Training, Equipment, Personnel, Information, Doc...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, when was a) he or b) the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, informed, formally or informally that all criteria for Aja
Answer: As previously confirmed, prior to Initial Operating Capability being announced on 5 November 2025, assurances and advice were provided to Ministers regarding the safety of the platform and confirming all criteria had been met.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the projected total cost of local government reorganisation in England.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77631 on 13 October 2025.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decrease in power-to-weight ratio between Challenger 2 and Challenger 3.
Answer: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intent and he will know that Challenger 3 has been designed to deliver an optimal balance of lethality, survivability, and mobility to meet its operational requirements.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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