Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions 2025
3013 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Military Alliances: SpaceMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Operation Olympic Defender.
Answer: Multinational Force Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER (MNF-OOD) is a US led multinational force which provides national-level authority for centralised planning of combined space operations. The core members are the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Cana...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWarrior Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2025 on question 83063 on Warrior Vehicles: Procurement, when the concept phase of Project Atilla is due to end.
Answer: Project ATILLA is now in the early stages of commercial competition. This means that the project has progressed from considering conceptual elements such as evaluating project feasibility. The project is now preparing to move into the Invitation to Tender...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93240More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the scope was of Project Rarden.
Answer: Project RARDEN is a legacy project that designed and introduced the Rarden cannon into service in the 1970s.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHMS Iron DukeMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93239More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of cancelling the Iron Duke conversion programme.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence keeps all capability programmes under regular review to ensure they remain affordable, deliver value for money, and align with operational priorities. The decision to cancel the Iron Duke conversion programme was based on a compreh...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: InjuriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93238More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many settlements for non-freezing cold injuries did his department make in 2024/25.
Answer: The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes (AFCS) compensate service personnel and veterans for a wide range of injuries and illnesses arising from or exacerbated by their service. Non-freezing cold injuries (NFCI) are included in...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMarinesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what level of readiness is 42 Commando’s Fleet Contingency Troop held at in order to conduct maritime interdiction operations in UK territorial waters.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continually evaluates the most appropriate options and resources to address the evolving threats faced by the United Kingdom. For security reasons, we cannot disclose specific assessments or operational decisions publicly. However,...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential benefit of forward mounting Royal Marines from the Fleet Contingency Troop to HMS Somerset in order to provide interdiction options for the tracking of the Russian shi
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continually evaluates the most appropriate options and resources to address the evolving threats faced by the United Kingdom. For security reasons, we cannot disclose specific assessments or operational decisions publicly. However,...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWarships: Territorial WatersMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the use of lasers by the Russian ship Yantar to disrupt a Royal Air Force Poseidon P-8, what is the threshold needed to necessitate offensive action by the UK military if a foreign vessel is operating i
Answer: The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess its response options to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately against malign activities and future threats. For reasons of national security, I am not able to disclose specific details...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Rules of EngagementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press conference he gave on 19th November 2025 regarding the use of lasers by the Russian ship Yantar, what changes has he made to the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement.
Answer: The Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence continuously assess our Rules of Engagement to ensure our Armed Forces can act appropriately in response to malign activities and evolving threats, including unsafe or unprofessional behaviour by foreign vessels ...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: RiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting a 6.8 x 51mm calibre rifle for frontline combat roles.
Answer: A review of performance requirements and technical solutions is ongoing as part of the concept phase for Project GRAYBURN. On current plans, Project GRAYBURN is due to enter its assessment phase in 2026. The project aims to replace the SA80 family of rifl...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to question 89765 on Military Aircraft: Procurement, what the in-year saving made by cancelling the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme was.
Answer: The decision to cancel the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme was driven by delays in delivering the required capability and an assessment of increased costs for uncontracted work. As a result, no direct in-year savings were realised from this decision. However...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison AccommodationMinistry of JusticeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison places have been delivered through the Small Secure Houseblocks programme since 5 July 2024; and at which locations.
Answer: No places have yet been delivered under the Small Secure Houseblocks (SSH) programme. Following completion of the design stage, the programme is now in its main construction phase. Based on current plans, the Small Secure Houseblocks programme will delive...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF LakenheathMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, by when the two USAF F-35 squadrons at RAF Lakenheath will reach full operating capacity.
Answer: The two US Air Force F-35 squadrons stationed at RAF Lakenheath have reached full operating capacity, which was achieved in Autumn 2025.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUSA: Joint ExercisesMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the outcome was of Royal Navy integration into US Carrier Strike Group certification training in October and November 2024.
Answer: In October 2024 the UK Carrier Strike Group and US Carrier Strike Group 8 completed a period of combined integration training during Exercise STRIKE WARRIOR. Exercise STRIKE WARRIOR included the successful re-certification of the UK Carrier Strike Group s...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNavy: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the requirements of the Royal Navy's a) Stratus LO (Low Observable) and b) Stratus RS (Rapid Strike) programmes.
Answer: The Royal Navy has a requirement called the Future Offensive Surface Weapon (FOSuW) which will provide a long range anti-ship strike weapon with land attack capabilities, compatible with the Mk41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The FOSuW requirement will be...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: Overseas StudentsHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93096More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's publication entitled How many people claim asylum in the UK?, published on 21 August 2025, what assessment has she made of the potential implications for her policie
Answer: This government has already taken action to stem the surge in asylum claims from visa holders, including record numbers of credibility interviews and mandating a genuine study requirement for short term student routes. The number of student visa holders c...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordEmergency Services NetworkHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress has she made in delivering the Emergency Services Mobile Communications programme.
Answer: Following the completion of two major re-procurements, the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) awarded the Mobile Services contract to BT/EE and the User Services contract to IBM in November and December 2024 respectively.The progra...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration: TechnologyHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under the Immigration Platform Technologies programme, what are the three integrated modern technology services that have been delivered.
Answer: The three integrated modern technology services that were delivered by IPT are: Access UK – Accessed via GOV.UK, this single online application service for all visa and immigration services allows our customers to complete their application, book an appoi...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison Accommodation: North EastMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92684More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 650 p
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison Accommodation: North WestMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92683More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 2,900
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison Accommodation: MidlandsMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92682More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 2,800
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison Accommodation: WalesMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92681More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 350 p
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison Accommodation: East of England and South EastMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 2,400
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrison Accommodation: Midlands and South WestMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92679More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the answer of 17th November 2025, to question 88464 on Prison Accommodation, how many a) places at new prisons, b) permanent cells at existing prisons and c) Rapid Deployment Cells will form the 3,250
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are delivering an additional 14,000 prison places, and aim to do so by 2031, having already delivered c.2,600 since taking office. The following table provides a breakdown ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of introducing new measures on governing the influence of agentic AI tools.
Answer: AI is a general-purpose technology, with a wide range of applications, which is why the UK believes that the vast majority of AI should be regulated at the point of use – including agentic AI tools.A range of existing rules already apply to AI systems, su...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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