Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Armed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the requirement of a high/low weapons mix to deliver high-end effectors to meet the challenge of (a) anti access, (b) area denial and (c) very long range threat systems.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Both autonomous and uncrewed technologies features in both Cu...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: International CooperationMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72201More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reconfiguring the European defence industrial base to facilitate (a) collaborative development, (b) shared production and (c) integrated logistics.
Answer: At this critical moment for the security of our continent, it is important that we work together with our European allies to strengthen our collective defence industrial base, recognising that the UK is an essential part of Europe’s security. As part of o...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: Manufacturing IndustriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72198More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of UK capability to meet the full-spectrum of industrial demands posed by modern high-intensity conflict.
Answer: Through commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department is investing heavily in its supply chain to develop a more, resilient, innovative and agile approach to managing and mitigating risks across the D...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: Manufacturing IndustriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72197More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what new sites for sovereign production of complex weapons and critical systems have been identified by his Department.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review committed to build at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently developing a plan to deliver this commitment alongside our wider Defence Industrial Strategy, deliver...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordType 83 Destroyers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72196More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the delivery of the future air superiority effectors programme.
Answer: The Future Air Superiority Effectors programme is currently in pre-concept phase, and work is actively underway to establish a concept phase.
Answered 24 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of procuring orchestrike for the Royal Air Force.
Answer: While the Ministry of Defence is not currently procuring Orchestrike as a discrete capability, the development of Spear Capability 3 and STRATUS-LO includes the integration of such network-enabled technology.
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made in developing the Future Cruise/ Anti Ship Weapon.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what aircraft will SPEAR Capability 5’s (a) low-observable TP15 and (b) supersonic RJ10 be compatible.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72192More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made in developing SPEAR Capability 5.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the SPEAR Capability 4 will be operationally ready.
Answer: SPEAR Capability 4 reached Full Operational Capability on Typhoon in 2022. The system remains in-service with Typhoon.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to procure the General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGurdian for maritime ISR operations.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorses the Review's vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. As referenced in recommendation ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72189More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, will the Royal Air Force’s Protector MQ-9B be certified by the (a) civilian aviation authority and (b) the military aviation authority.
Answer: As a military registered air system, Protector RG Mk1 only requires certification by the Military Aviation Authority, who issued the Military Type Certificate for the air system in April 2025. Protector is already capable of operating in Class A and C air...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: FactoriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72120More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the size of (a) domestic and (b) overseas orders that would be required to maintain 100% of workforce skills at the Warton assembly line.
Answer: As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, this Government is committed to ensuring Defence is an engine for growth, driving jobs and prosperity through a new partnership with industry. The Department continues to work very closely with our most importa...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72119More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many StormShrouds will be procured by the Royal Air Force.
Answer: I am withholding the number of StormShrouds to be procured as it would harm the Capability and Effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72118More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how does StormShroud function autonomously as part of the RAF’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.
Answer: StormShroud supports RAF F-35B Lightning and Typhoon pilots by jamming enemy radars, which increases the survivability and operational effectiveness of our crewed aircraft. As StormShroud is the first Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) introduced int...
Answered 18 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72117More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what projects will be delivered via the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office beyond StormShroud.
Answer: The Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) remit is to solve problems on behalf of the warfighter, enhancing the capabilities delivered to the front line by exploring game-changing technologies for the Royal Air Force. Many projects are Technology Demonstrations...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: EarthquakesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72116More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Kamchatka earthquake on the (a) Russian submarine fleet and (b) Russian Pacific surface fleet at Rybachiy.
Answer: While the Department can't comment on specific intelligence related to this matter in the interests of maintaining national security. The hon. member can be reassured that assessments of Russian capability continue to be an important activity for the Depa...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Hinchingbrooke HospitalDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 56675 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what discussions she has had with National Highways on returning land adjacent to Views Common to Cambridgeshire Consta
Answer: The Department is not directly involved in negotiations concerning land acquired for the A14 scheme near Views Common. National Highways has been in discussions with Cambridgeshire Constabulary regarding surplus land in that area. A final compensation pro...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Traffic Offences: Motor InsuranceDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the exploitation of trade insurance policies by motorists to allow otherwise uninsured drivers to drive any vehicle on that policy.
Answer: All drivers must be insured to drive the vehicle they are using and for the purpose it is used for.The Government takes uninsured driving seriously. Police forces work closely with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) to tackle this. This is achieved through ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSovereign Base Areas Police: INTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what level of access the Sovereign Base Area police in Cyprus has to Interpol databases.
Answer: The Sovereign Base Area police in Cyprus do not have direct access to INTERPOL databases. Access to INTERPOL databases is facilitated through the UK’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), which sits within the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Unmanned Air SystemsHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on amending The Air Navigation Order 2016 to allow greater use of drones by police forces.
Answer: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for ensuring that all UK aircraft operators must comply with the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 2016.In the use and deployment of drones, police forces must have due regard to the ANO which specifies the requi...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has taken steps to update The Air Navigation Order 2016 to reflect advances in drone capability.
Answer: In 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review the UK drone Regulation which was undertaken through a public consultation. The CAA published its consultation reply on 8 May 2025. DfT is now updating t...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCambridgeshire Constabulary: Hinchingbrooke HospitalHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72096More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 56675 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what progress she has made on completing the transaction that would see access to Police land granted to Hinc
Answer: This is a local matter. The Home Office has not had a direct role in discussions between the interested parties in relation to the ownership of this land and its use for a new access road to Hinchingbrooke Hospital.
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUSA: Intelligence ServicesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the cancellation by the CIA in the United States of the appointment of Tom Sylvester as the London chief of stati
Answer: It is a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTyphoon AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72001More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which RAF squadrons continue to operate Tranche 1 Typhoons.
Answer: RAF No 1435 Flight operate the Tranche 1 Typhoons.
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament record
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