Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
3453 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Unmanned Marine Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14029More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025, to question 71970 on Submarines, what progress has he made on development of the XLAUV fleet ahead of the awarding of funding for the trials and evaluation contract to
Answer: Experimental Vessel (XV) EXCALIBUR continues sea trials, with the vessel recently becoming the first extra large autonomous uncrewed vessel (XLAUV) to achieve Full Certification with the Naval Authority. Payload and experimentation trials are underway, in...
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMarines: Amphibious WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14028More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 125423 on Project Catherina, and with reference to the Press release “High-speed boats and new drones for elite Commando Force under Defence Investment Plan” pu
Answer: High-speed boats and new drones refer to other aspects of Commando Force Transformation, namely the Joint Commando Craft and other transformative technologies such as uncrewed vessels, next-generation communications, networked targeting and strike drones....
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMarines: Amphibious WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14027More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Press release “High-speed boats and new drones for elite Commando Force under Defence Investment Plan” published on 28 June 2026, under what project name is the Commando Insertion Craft bein
Answer: The Commando Insertion Craft is currently referred to in the Defence Investment Plan as the Joint Commando Craft. As the project matures this name may change but there are no immediate plans for any such change.
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordWarships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the Planning Assumption for Service Entry for the Royal Navy’s new CCV class.
Answer: The Hybrid Navy Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability will replace the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers. While the Common Combat Vessel (CCV) remains in the initial stages of design, the Royal Navy’s aspiration is to sequence the arrival of...
Answered 29 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSexual Offences: VictimsMinistry of JusticeTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14025More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has he made of the adequacy of the treatment of British victims of sexual assault in the US military court martial system during proceedings regarding offences committed on UK soil by US service p
Answer: The recent case in Cambridgeshire is clearly extremely concerning, and I extend my sympathy to the victim. Where an offence is committed in England and Wales, under the Victims’ Code all victims have the right to seek support from available victim support...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordFiscal PolicyTreasuryTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14024More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made as assessment of the potential impact on a) financial markets and b) borrowing rates of changing the horizon for fiscal rules from five years to ten.
Answer: The fiscal rules require the current budget to be in surplus and net financial debt to be falling as a share of the economy by the third year of the rolling forecast period.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: RecruitmentDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2026 to question 5065 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rules (a) 10.1.4 and (b) 4.9 in the UK Code of Broadca
Answer: The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) are responsible for setting the UK Advertising Codes to ensure that advertising in the UK abides by the principles of being legal, decent, honest and tr...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13298More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what mechanisms exist for the UK Maritime Trading Organisation to report security issues directly into Government agencies.
Answer: The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is a Royal Navy capability that supports seafarers and promotes maritime security and freedom of navigation. UKMTO acts as a focal point for vessels and maritime industry partners to report security concerns and in...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the difference in capability is between the GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II and SPEAR 3.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase of the GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) as an interim stand-off weapon for the F-35B, intended to bridge the capability gap until the UK-developed SPEAR 3 enters full operational service. This decisi...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: HuntingdonDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13296More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Satellite broadband coverage in Huntingdonshire.
Answer: We are committed to delivering gigabit broadband coverage to 99% of premises by 2032. Where premises are too costly to connect via gigabit fibre, alternative such as satellite broadband can play a role in providing quality connectivity, including in Hunti...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordOutdoor Recreation: Young PeopleDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13295More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the amount of Adventures Away From Home funding is for 2026/27.
Answer: My department invested £4.7 million in the Adventures Away From Home Fund (AAfH) in 2025/26, supporting 31,160 bursaries for young people. Delivery of the fund ended on 31st March 2026 and no further funding has been allocated for 2026/27 for the AAfH.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2026 to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to crew compartment heating on the AJAX vehicle platform he plans to make.
Answer: There are a series of upgrades identified to address issues on Ajax and work is underway to action those. I can assure you that the Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics to ensure the programme proceeds safely, responsibly and transpa...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy ReserveMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026, to question 8857 on Army Reserve: Finance, what is the baseline figure of personnel within the active reserve upon which the 20% increase will be measured.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review committed to increasing the proportion of active reserves by 20%, when funding allows. This Government has since published the Defence Investment Plan, which includes £4.2 billion of investment in the Reserve Forces between Fi...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessels have transited the English Channel since 24 March 2026.
Answer: Between 24 March and 25 June 2026, 173 UK sanctioned vessels sailed through the Dover Strait, carrying out 230 transits. The UK is continuing to take robust enforcement action against the shadow fleet, including imposing sanctions on over 500 vessels and ...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: English ChannelDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13291More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vessels have transited the channel under a false flag since 24 March 2026.
Answer: The Government continuously monitors UK waters to ensure the safety of mariners, protect the marine environment and uphold the UK's national security. Where steps are required to verify the flag status of a vessel, this is done on a case-by-case basis in ...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMerlin HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10778 on Merlin Helicopters, for what reason were the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk.4 fleet not grounded following the crash in Sourton, Devon on 3 June 2025.
Answer: A full investigation is being conducted into the cause of the crash involving a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter on 3 June 2026. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, loved ones and colleagues of those affected during this difficult time...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on 23 June 2026, what estimate he has made of savings.
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, sets out some measures on how the Department will deliver £10.7 billion of efficiencies and savings alongside wider reforms to prioritisation, affordability and capability delivery.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAstute Class Submarines: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2026 to question 7775 on Defence Nuclear Enterprise, what is the a) whole life cost, b) 2025/26 cost and c) 2026/27 budget for Astute.
Answer: The current estimated whole life cost for Astute is £11.59 billion. The Ministry of Defence publishes annual Defence Nuclear Enterprise expenditure in the usual way through the Annual Report and Accounts.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordGuided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the carriage hours limitations for Brimstone.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the contribution from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry during the Opposition Day debate on Defence Spending and Readiness on 23 June 2026, if he will list the 47 major defence pro
Answer: The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Annual Report will be published shortly. This contains details of all major programmes within the Government Major Projects Portfolio at 31 March 2026 along with summaries of perform...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: ShippingMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of selling the crude oil seized when the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessel SMYRTOS was interdicted on 14 June 2026.
Answer: Due to the ongoing National Crime Agency's criminal investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment on the status of the seized crude oil.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of of 19 June 2026, to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to air filtration on the AJAX vehicle platform does he plan to make.
Answer: There are a series of upgrades identified to address issues on Ajax and work is underway to action those. I can assure you that the Department continues to work closely with General Dynamics to ensure the programme proceeds safely, responsibly and transpa...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordIndia: Jaguar AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force since 01 January 2026.
Answer: A total of nine Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force. Of these, five were the GR1 variant, and four the T2 variant. Of the 42 Jaguar aircraft the Ministry of Defence still holds, 13 are the GR1 variant and none are the T2 variant.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordJaguar AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft are still held by the Ministry of Defence.
Answer: A total of nine Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force. Of these, five were the GR1 variant, and four the T2 variant. Of the 42 Jaguar aircraft the Ministry of Defence still holds, 13 are the GR1 variant and none are the T2 variant.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if MQ-9B Reaper is equipped with Air Handler Cheeks.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons for operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →