James Cartlidge MP: written questions
1844 published records · newest first.
Written questions
DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Readiness Bill will be legislated for in the current Parliament.
Answer: Defence Readiness legislation is being considered to ensure the Government has the powers it needs to keep the UK safe in crisis or war, as recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Legislation will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what cost envelope the Defence Investment Plan will report.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the right hon. Member for Liverpool Garston (Maria Eagle) provided on 3 September 2025 to his Question 70714.
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's investors advisory group has been consulted on funding for the Defence Investment Plan.
Answer: The Defence Investors Advisory Group (DIAG) exists to help develop and provide expert advice on the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS).As part of this work, we are exploring potential new financing options which could apply to specific opportu...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: Small BusinessesMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support British SMEs in light of the delay to the Defence Investment Plan.
Answer: The Department is working flat out to deliver the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which will be published as soon as possible. It is underpinned by the Government’s largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, with £270 bil...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSkynetMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 70768 on Skynet, what were the findings of the National Infrastructure and Services Transformation Authority's November 2025 review into the Skynet 6 programme.
Answer: The National Infrastructure and Services Transformation Authority had scheduled a review of the Skynet 6 programme for November 2025 as part of routine monitoring of Category A projects. However, a shift to a conditions-based approach, aligning reviews wi...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSkynetMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 70768 on Skynet, when the next Skynet 6 programme review will take place.
Answer: The resilience and operational relevance of the planned Skynet 6 capabilities continue to be regularly assessed against projected operational demands and emerging threats. The latest review was as part of the Defence Investment Plan considerations. Timing...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSkynet: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 48156 on Skynet, when the build of the Skynet 6A satellite transitioned into the testing and validation phase.
Answer: The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. Following build and preparatory activity, the Skynet 6A satellite transitioned into the testing and validation phase in November 2025.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review 2025 will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.
Answer: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set a path for the next decade and beyond, over which Defence will be transformed. The Government accepted all 62 of the SDR’s recommendations. This is priority business, executed through a whole-of-Defence effort and dr...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHelicopters: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107735More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the New Medium Helicopter will be included in the specific single document of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answer: As confirmed to the House we will make a decision on New Medium Helicopter shortly. The Department is working flat out to deliver the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published as soon as possible. It is backed by the Government’s largest sustained ...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to use the British Army Training Unit Suffield for the testing of uncrewed systems in the current Parliament.
Answer: The Army is currently using the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) for the testing of uncrewed systems, with further testing due to occur in the spring of this year. Plans beyond this and the future use of BATUS is dependent upon the outcome of t...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the MQ-9B Protector has reached Initial Operating Capability.
Answer: Protector RG Mk1 has yet to reach Initial Operating Capability programme milestones. Protector has already deployed on operations and is providing valuable Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordType 45 Destroyers: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Sea Viper Evolution will reach Full Operating Capability.
Answer: Both Sea Viper Evolution Programmes continue to make progress. Capability One, the Royal Navy’s entry level Ballistic Missile Defence Capability, is expected to provide Full Operating Capability in late 2032. Capability Two, providing theatre level Ballis...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordType 45 Destroyers: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on implementing Sea Viper Evolution.
Answer: Both Sea Viper Evolution Programmes continue to make progress. Capability One, the Royal Navy’s entry level Ballistic Missile Defence Capability, is expected to provide Full Operating Capability in late 2032. Capability Two, providing theatre level Ballis...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107730More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether he plans to create new roles within the armed
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107729More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether an undergraduate drone degree will guarantee e
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, from which service will the up to five soldiers enroll
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107727More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether elements of the undergraduate drone degree wil
Answer: The undergraduate drone degree is designed to equip students with the technical skills required to build, upgrade and sustain drone systems, rather than to train them in their operational use. Some elements of the programme will involve students working w...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107726More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether a drone technology specialist will be a recogn
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107725More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether there are any specific roles within the armed
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107724More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether he plans to increase participation in the unde
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107723More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, what steps his Department is taking to encourage appli
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether his Department has a target for the number of
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107721More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, for how many years has the undergraduate drone degree
Answer: The Army has provided a one-off payment of £240,000 to the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) to initiate development of the undergraduate drone degree. This funding enabled NMITE to recruit academic staff and design the course whi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, what is the annual cost of delivering the undergraduat
Answer: The Army has provided a one-off payment of £240,000 to the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) to initiate development of the undergraduate drone degree. This funding enabled NMITE to recruit academic staff and design the course whi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, what is his target number of (a) civilian and (b) sold
Answer: The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate dr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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