Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions 2026
2827 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Navy: Defence EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy’s Phalanx CIWS is permitted to defeat crewed a) fixed-wing or b) rotary-wing platforms.
Answer: The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is designed primarily to counter incoming missiles and other immediate air or surface threats, with its employment governed by strict Rules of Engagement. Any use of the system against crewed fixed‑ or rotary‑wing...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRadar: Wind PowerMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123058More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled New radar systems to unlock offshore wind, published on 20 March 2026, which air defence radars have been purchased.
Answer: The contract will supply and integrate technologically advanced radar systems. I am withholding details of the specific air defence radar systems as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and the capability, security and effectiveness of the ...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIran: Armed ConflictMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122893More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the meeting of the Defence Working Group on 5 March 2026, what steps is he taking to fulfil the UK’s military deterrence obligations following the Islamic Republic of Iran’s actions that threaten the Ki
Answer: The UK remains committed to supporting Bahrain from Iran's indiscriminate attacks in any way we can. Since 12 March 2026, we have provided Defensive Counter Air support, enabled by the deployment of additional Typhoon aircraft to the region. The Ministry ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Conflict: IranCabinet OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122329More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 116964 on Armed Conflict: Iran, when the Government was informed.
Answer: In line with policy under successive administrations, the government does not routinely comment on operational matters.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS DuncanMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026, to Question 121200 on HMS Duncan, is HMS Duncan currently a) safe, b) capable, and c) endorsed for tasking.
Answer: For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not give detailed information on past or current levels of readiness for individual Royal Navy warships.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFirearms: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122327More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026 to Question 117963 on Firearms: Licensing, what steps are detailed in the action plan on how the three police forces intend to address the issues in the acceler
Answer: His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) issued an accelerated cause of concern notice to the Chief Constables of the three forces involved in the tripartite firearms licensing arrangement involving Bedfordshire ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIron and Steel: FurnacesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122326More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on transitioning the UK’s remaining blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces.
Answer: In March 2025 Jingye rejected an offer of substantial financial support to convert the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces. More recently we have been in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of British ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordJingye Group: ScunthorpeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122325More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Jingye on the timeline for converting the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces.
Answer: In March 2025 Jingye rejected an offer of substantial financial support to convert the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces. More recently we have been in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of British ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMayoral Revolving Growth FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason did Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority not qualify for the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund.
Answer: The Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund's place selection methodology is available online: Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund: policy statement - GOV.UK. This sets out that places were selected based on:their growth potential using Gross Domestic Product per head to...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined AuthorityDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement allocation for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was derived.
Answer: The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) does not receive the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which is made available to eight of England’s largest city regions. Other areas, including the CPCA, receive differe...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director: Redundancy PayMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current total remuneration of the National Armaments Director.
Answer: The total remuneration package for the National Armaments Director (NAD) is in line with the maximum advertised. The base salary for the role is currently £400,000. In addition, the NAD is also eligible for an annual performance award of up to 60% of base...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to HCWS1269, published on 22 January 2026, which individuals comprised the panel of experts with experience of noise and vibration chosen by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry.
Answer: An Independent Expert Panel Review of the programme is ongoing; it would therefore not be appropriate to comment on the individuals involved at this time.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122291More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which date was the decision taken to recommence testing of the Ajax vehicle platform.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessments have been conducted between Ajax and like-for-like competitor vehicles which could replace it; and which vehicles have been compared.
Answer: Our focus has been, and continues to be, ensuring that AJAX is safe for our soldiers to use. In considering the future of AJAX, several alternative platforms were assessed. I intend to update the House to outline next steps after Easter recess.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Merthyr TydfilMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the potential cancellation of the the Ajax programme and (b) levels of Ajax export contracts on levels of employment in Merthyr Tydfil.
Answer: The Armoured Cavalry Programme's contract has a range of remedies available including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate should its cancellation ever be necessary. While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory and fut...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date did the Army Safety Investigation Team investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm a) commence and b) conclude.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the outcome of the Army Safety Investigation Team investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date did the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm a) commence and b) conclude.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Health and SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the outcome of the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm.
Answer: As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and ne...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordType 45 DestroyersMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the average length of time for each Type-45 Fleet Time Support Period.
Answer: Fleet Time Support Periods (FTSPs) for Type 45 Destroyers vary in duration depending on the scope of scheduled maintenance, operational commitments, capability insertions and any emergent work identified once the vessel enters the maintenance period.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has he made of the potential impact on domestic energy prices of the damage to the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, caused by the Iranian missile strike on 18 March 2026.
Answer: The Prime Minister has condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian strikes on Gulf oil and gas facilities. The UK benefits from a strong and diverse security of energy supplies, with only around 1% of the UK's gas supply coming from Qatar. Thanks to the ...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordA14: Environment ProtectionDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps has she taken to review the current status of land for environmental mitigation along the A14.
Answer: National Highways has assessed the status of the land and is taking steps to improve its condition, including replanting substantial numbers of trees, protecting ecological sites and creating new wildlife habitats.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCabinet Office: Written QuestionsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122066More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, by when will his department answer question 113290, published on 12 February 2026.
Answer: A response has been issued here.
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCabinet Office: Written QuestionsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122065More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to answer question 113304, published on 12 February 2026.
Answer: A response has been issued here.
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCabinet Office: Written QuestionsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122064More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to answer question 112306, published on 10 February 2026.
Answer: A response has been issued here.
Answered 2 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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