James Cartlidge MP: written questions
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Written questions
Veterans: Northern IrelandMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103814More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed
Answer: The Government has worked closely with veterans’ groups to develop protections that apply both to Coronial Inquests and the Legacy Commission, so that veterans giving evidence as witnesses are protected regardless of which legacy mechanism they engage wit...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterans: Northern IrelandMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103813More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed
Answer: The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. Some of these protections apply universally, including to all other former members of the security forces, recognising their service. The Gov...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNorthern Ireland Troubles BillMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103365More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed
Answer: The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving mem...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, how much has been spent on impl
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, what the estimated total cost o
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: CybersecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the CyberEM Command has established initial operating capability.
Answer: Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF) was achieved on 1 December 2025. This followed a public announcement by the Commander, Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), on 27 November 2025. IOC mark...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: Diplomatic RelationsMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103361More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Diplomacy Strategy has been completed.
Answer: The Defence Diplomacy Strategy’s development was completed in December 2025. The Department plans to launch a public summary of the Strategy early this year.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103360More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish the Defence Investment Plan before 1 March 2026.
Answer: The Department is working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published as soon as possible.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFirearms: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102824More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact that changes to shotgun licensing will have on the time taken to process shotgun licence renewals in South Suffolk.
Answer: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFirearms: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102823More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of merging (i) shotgun and (ii) rifle licensing systems will have on constituents in South Suffolk.
Answer: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, when will the air-launch
Answer: The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of fac...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the air-launch
Answer: The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of fac...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what weapons will be pro
Answer: No specific effector (or weapon system) has been procured for this project yet. The project aims to determine the most effective means of countering air-to-air threats, which may or may not involve the use of a specific weapon system.
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101436More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the new uncrew
Answer: The new uncrewed helicopter is part of the Royal Navy's move towards a future 'hybrid air wing' which includes Project PROTEUS. PROTEUS is a project funded by UK Defence Innovation for the development of a heavy-lift vertical take-off and landing uncrewed...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101435More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects Proteus to be deployed.
Answer: The Proteus Technology Demonstrator Project (TDP) is testing the efficacy of a large, unmanned helicopter, designed from the outset to incorporate modular payloads and a high degree of autonomy, to fulfil a range of warfighting roles for the Royal Navy. T...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101434More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when flight trials for Proteus will conclude.
Answer: The Proteus Technology Demonstrator Project (TDP) is testing the efficacy of a large, unmanned helicopter, designed from the outset to incorporate modular payloads and a high degree of autonomy, to fulfil a range of warfighting roles for the Royal Navy. T...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the air-launch
Answer: The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of fac...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what weapon will be proc
Answer: The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of fac...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, whether the new uncrewed
Answer: The new uncrewed helicopter is part of the Royal Navy's move towards a future 'hybrid air wing' which includes Project PROTEUS. PROTEUS is a project funded by UK Defence Innovation for the development of a heavy-lift vertical take-off and landing uncrewed...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many tests for Land Directed Energy Weapons have taken place since 5 July 2024.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many contracts have been placed for Land Directed Energy Weapons since 5 July 2024.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100922More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 93964 on Defence: Contracts, what the 177 contracts valued between £100 million and £500 million are for.
Answer: The Department confirms that there were only twenty-six contracts valued between £100 million and £500 million. Details of these contracts are provided below.The Department is withholding information on six of these contracts for the purposes of safeguard...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAmmunitionMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100921More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of (a) his Department's budget and (b) the NATO-declared spend has been spent on munitions since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The Department's munitions spend has been published in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 for the year ended 31 March 2025, published 4 Nov 2025, also shows munition expenditure of £1.4 billion for financial year 2024 and £1.7 billion for financia...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, whether his Department h
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100919More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what additional laser we
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 100495 on 24 December 2025.
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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