James Cartlidge MP: written questions 2025
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Written questions
Strategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59821More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish a defence command paper to outline how his Department plans to implement the Strategic Defence Review.
Answer: This Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s (SDR) vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK De...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59820More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has a strategy to implement the Strategic Defence Review.
Answer: Yes. This Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK Def...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59819More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June to Question 56844 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will list the trade unions that received unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review before 3.00pm on 2 June 2025.
Answer: For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach f...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Public ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59818More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of GDP will be spent on (a) NATO qualifying defence spend and (b) the MOD budget in financial year (i) 2025-26, (ii) 2026-27, (iii) 2027-28 and (iv) 2028-29.
Answer: The estimated percentage GDP figures are set out below: Financial Year2025-262026-272027-282028-29MOD budget (as set out in Spending Review 2025)2.08%2.11%2.20%2.20%Total Expected Defence Spending2.36%2.52%2.60%2.60% The future years defence spending fig...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59817More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], which representatives from (a) the UK and (b) Mauritius will
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 June 2025, to Question 57307.Annex 1, Clause 3 does not apply to the base on Diego Garcia.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59816More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what assessment he has made of the potential impact of advisi
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 June 2025, to Question 57307. There is no requirement to advise Mauritius on the location of equipment on Diego Garcia.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59815More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 10, Clause 1 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], if he will estimate the cost of employing Mauritian nationa
Answer: As set out in the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment, the Government of the United States shall bear the cost of developing, operating and maintaining the facility. Mauritian nationals who are employed as contractors in existing ro...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59814More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 10, Clause 1 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what are the requirements for Mauritian companies to be sel
Answer: Future contracts falling under Article 10 of the treaty shall be subject to normal scrutiny and award processes.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59813More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], if he will outline how the Agreement will ensure the long-term (a) secure and (b) e
Answer: The Treaty means that the UK will retain full operational control over Diego Garcia, and there are robust security provisions in place for the base and the rest of the Chagos Archipelago. Mauritius is committed to uphold the long-term, secure and effectiv...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Sexual HarassmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59812More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage service personnel to submit responses to the Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey.
Answer: The Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey 2025 was launched on 20 May 2025. It remains open for six weeks, closing on 1 July 2025. A comprehensive internal communications plan proactively encourages all Regular and Reserve Service personnel to take part. ...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordVeteransMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59811More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for publishing the Veterans' Strategy.
Answer: This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am leading work across Government and with Civil Society with a strategy that outlines our vision for these remarkable men and women and the outcomes we wish to a...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Sexual HarassmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59810More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the latest Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey was launched.
Answer: The Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey 2025 was launched on 20 May 2025. It remains open for six weeks, closing on 1 July 2025. A comprehensive internal communications plan proactively encourages all Regular and Reserve Service personnel to take part. ...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59767More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2025 to Question 52287 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, what the emerging technologies are.
Answer: The Royal Navy continues to work collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to investigate the potential for fixed wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) to enhance the strike capabilities of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. ACPs pro...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 5, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what the areas of assistance agreed to provide Mauritius to (
Answer: As set out in the new UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework, Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. This includes the UK working with Mauritius to improve maritime surveillance, the tracking of sus...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 7, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], which activities his Department considers risk conflicting wi
Answer: As set out in Annex 1, Clause 7 of the Treaty, the UK holds the right to notify Mauritius about any activity that is seen as potentially undermining, prejudicing or otherwise interfering with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Di...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 3, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], who will sit on the Joint Commission as representatives of th
Answer: As Annex 3 of the Treaty states, the UK delegation to the Joint Commission will consist of one senior representative (as co-chair with Mauritius) and four additional representatives. Decisions on who will represent the UK side will be made in due course....
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 3, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], when the Joint Commission will first meet.
Answer: The date of the first meeting of the Joint Commission has not been set. Once the Treaty enters into force, the Joint Commission shall meet at least twice a year or more frequently on the request of either the UK or Mauritius.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 3, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], whether an official from his Department will sit on the Joint
Answer: As Annex 3 of the Treaty states, the UK delegation to the Joint Commission will consist of one senior representative (as co-chair with Mauritius) and four additional representatives. Decisions on who will represent the UK side will be made in due course....
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordWarships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) ships and (b) submarines are currently (i) in-build and (ii) on order.
Answer: There are currently eight ships in build, with a further eight on order. These include the next-generation Type 31 General Purpose Frigates, Type 26 Anti-Submarine Frigates, and the Fleet Solid Support ships, to be crewed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59490More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US Government's decision to launch a review into the AUKUS partnership on the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review.
Answer: AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US Government's decision to launch a review into the AUKUS partnership on jobs.
Answer: AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Strategic Defence Review - Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, updated on 11 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the merits of the US Government's decision to launch a
Answer: AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his (a) Australian and (b) United States counterpart on the US Government's decision to launch a review into the AUKUS partnership.
Answer: AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGibraltar: DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59484More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar on defence.
Answer: Protecting the UK’s operational autonomy of the military facilities in Gibraltar has been a red line throughout negotiations of the UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar.The agreement reached on 11 June 2025 maintains full operational autonomy of the UK...
Answered 17 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: DocumentsMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59483More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's messenger service routinely keeps records of when departmental hard copy (a) documents and (b) publications were sent to (i) parliamentarians and (ii) external stakeholders.
Answer: The Department’s messenger service does not hold specific records of what is delivered and to whom.
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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