Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Aviation: InnovationDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the full scope of the Future of Flight Programme.
Answer: The UK Future of Flight Programme is a joint industry and government programme that will enable routine beyond visual line of sight drone operations by 2027 and commercial piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations from 202...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHMP Birmingham: Prison AccommodationMinistry of JusticeTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, who is the new contractor for the construction of additional places at HMP Birmingham.
Answer: The new contractor for the construction of the additional places at HMP Birmingham is Galliford Try Construction Limited.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEssex County CouncilMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what advice he received from civil servants at the (a) Department for Health and Social Care and (b) Department for Education on the potential options for the future structure of
Answer: Decisions on local government reorganisation are subject to collective agreement in the usual way.A summary of the Secretary of State’s decision for Essex Councils, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock has already been provided at gov.uk here. The Government has ...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Named Day question 10067, due for answer on 18 June 2026.
Answer: Suggestions that the UK’s interdiction of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Smyrtos was staged for publicity purposes are false. While we don’t routinely comment on specific operational details, the footage released was of secondary clearance of all spaces ...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12889More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 10468 on Shipping: Russia, what is the cost to the public purse of the detainment of the vessel SMYRTOS at Weymouth anchorage.
Answer: We are clear that the ship owner remains responsible for the vessel and its crew, including the vessel’s maintenance and the crew’s management.However, should the ship owner fail in their duties, the Department, as the detaining authority, has contingenc...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12888More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he made of the feasibility of using the NCA to conduct an interdiction operation on the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026 under the a) Sanctions
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. We will not provide details on our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully tak...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: TankersMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consideration he gave to interdicting the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continuously monitors maritime activity in UK waters. Any enforcement action is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. We will not provide details on our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully tak...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12886More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether discussions were held between the UK Government and their French counterparts on potential interdiction of the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.
Answer: The UK is in regular discussion with our allies to ensure we are ready and able to take action against the dangers posed by the shadow fleet. The interdiction of the SMYRTOS was conducted in close coordination with the French.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: RussiaDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12885More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 10469 on Shipping: Russia, whether the Government considered interdicting Russian vessel SMYRTOS under the a) Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 or b
Answer: Interdiction of the SMYRTOS was not considered on the occasion of 24-25 May 2026 due to the need to comply with domestic and international law. We are unable to provide further information as this could compromise our ability to successfully act in the fu...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10485 on F-35 Aircraft: Repairs and Maintenance, by when does he expect the F-35 Joint Program Office to make a decision on the options for the F-35B Enhanced Po
Answer: The Department expects that decisions on the options will be taken within the next 12 months.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12883More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10485 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, which British units have received delivery of the 20 Malloy Aeronautics T-150 heavy lift uncrewed aerial systems (UAS
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the response I provided to Question 79050 on 20 October 2025.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-10-10/79050
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12882More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10462 on Defence: Expenditure, for what reason he has used an estimated budget deficit amount from July 2010 rather than the actual figure based on historic acco
Answer: The figures provided were estimates because the Department had no forward settlement due to the General Election in 2010. The Spending Review in October 2010 subsequently set Departmental budgets out to 2014-15.
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12881More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026, to question 10461 on F-35 Aircraft, what is the planning assumption for service entry of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II).
Answer: As the hon. Gentleman will understand I am withholding the planning assumption for service entry, and I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 26 May 2026 to Question 2224. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/202...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12880More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what engagement has his department had with Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) regarding a new individual weapon as part of Project Grayburn.
Answer: Project GRAYBURN remains in its concept phase, and I am therefore unable to provide details relating to any communications with industry due to commercial sensitivities.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project Morrighan.
Answer: Project MORRIGHAN is a research and development initiative to explore the use of heavy lift Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for logistics and, in extremis, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). The project has run a two-phase experimentation programme, contracting...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12878More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the scope of Project Spielberg.
Answer: Project SPIELBERG provides highly realistic, immersive battle effects simulation technology to support military training. Through structured trials across Defence, Project SPIELBERG has demonstrated battle effect simulation technology can deliver more pro...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12877More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2026 to question 5080 on Armed Forces: Firearms, which of the firearms listed were lost in a) the UK or are b) operational losses overseas.
Answer: The security of small arms is taken very seriously within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we have robust procedures in place to deter, detect and prevent loss and theft which are constantly reviewed. All losses and thefts of small arms are fully and ri...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12876More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 11275 on Local Government: Reorganisation, what discussions his Department has had with Unison staff on Local Government Reorga
Answer: My Department has not had any discussions with Unison staff regarding local government reorganisation in the invitation area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which includes the area of Huntingdonshire. The Government strongly encourages councils going ...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordClyde Naval Base: ModernisationMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12875More
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 the Clyde Transformation Programme.
Answer: In line with the Defence Investment Plan, we will invest £26bn in Project Royal Oak over the next decade. This will be the biggest naval base upgrade for over 45 years, including multi-billion pound programmes at Faslane, Portsmouth and Devonport. HM Nava...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMeteor MissilesMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12874More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the carriage hours limitations for Meteor.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Military IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12873More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the capability of Outdragon on the MQ-9B Reaper.
Answer: I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12872More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2026 to question 11052 on Boxer Vehicles, is the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers the only unit to have been equipped with Boxer.
Answer: Detailed fielding plans for subsequent units remain subject to refinement. However, the Department does not routinely disclose unit level equipment allocations due to operational sensitivities.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12871More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2026 to question 11052 on Boxer Vehicles, is the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers the only unit to have been equipped with Boxer.
Answer: Detailed fielding plans for subsequent units remain subject to refinement. However, the Department does not routinely disclose unit level equipment allocations due to operational sensitivities.
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRailway Track: Iron and SteelDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12603More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on what temperature range the steel in standard gauge tracks across the UK rail network is tempered to be used between.
Answer: Continuous welded rail in the UK is designed to accommodate a rail temperature range of -14°C to +59°C.
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPre-school Education: CambridgeshireDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12549More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the feasibility of transferring 19 Cambridge Square from Cambridgeshire County Council to Wyton on the Hill primary school in the Huntingdon constituency for use as an unde
Answer: The department has not received any details of this proposal but would be happy to discuss it with the hon. Member for Huntingdon.
Answered 29 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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