James Cartlidge MP: written questions
1844 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Australia and USA: DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held a trilateral meeting with his US and Australian counterpart since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The Secretary of State for Defence hosted the first UK-hosted AUKUS Defence Ministers' meeting on 26 September 2024 with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and the then United States Secretary of Defense, The Honourable Lloyd J. Austin III...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how regularly he meets with the Special Representative on AUKUS.
Answer: The Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove regularly meets with the Defence Secretary to discuss key priorities for the AUKUS partnership. These discussions help ensure AUKUS is being pursued as a whole-of-Government effort in line...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, which Ajax variants are being assessed as part of the safety investigation.
Answer: On 22 November, during a routine training exercise, around 30 soldiers operating in Ajax reported being affected by noise and vibration exposure. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our safety protocols, the exercise was halted within 30 minu...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94954More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, when the safety investigation will conclude.
Answer: As a result of the 30 soldiers reporting be affected by noise and vibration from an Ajax training exercise on 22 November, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the event...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: Military ExercisesMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94953More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, when he plans to authorise the resumption of training exercises for Ajax.
Answer: As a result of the 30 soldiers reporting be affected by noise and vibration from an Ajax training exercise on 22 November, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the event...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has placed an order for any Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has not placed any orders for Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XL-UUV) since 5 July 2024. The Royal Navy has an experimental XL-UUV, known as Excalibur, which was delivered this year and is currently undergoing trials and ...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has a target date for spending 10% of the MOD equipment budget on novel technologies.
Answer: It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, such as autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of his Department's equipment budget was spent on novel technologies in the last 12 months.
Answer: It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, such as autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assisted...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94762More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, if he will list all other definitions of training outside of Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Answer: The British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy conduct two categories of training. These are Collective Training, and Individual Training. Collective Training is any training activity focussed on the collective performance of two or more people working...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordWarships: LasersMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November to Question 93390 on Type 45 Destroyers: Lasers and with reference to his oral statement on UK Airstrike: Houthi Military Facility, Column 333, Official Report, 30 April 2025
Answer: The Ministry of Defence plans to install the first DragonFire system on a Royal Navy vessel in 2027. The installation of additional systems will be in accordance with the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94244More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, if he will state the size of the MOD equipment budget as a (i) percentage of GDP and
Answer: In financial year (FY) 2024-25, Ministry of Defence spend on equipment was £24.92 billion, which is around 0.85% of GDP. This is an increase of over £2 billion from the equipment budget for FY2023-24.While the current FY is ongoing and work on the Defence...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEastern Europe: Peacekeeping OperationsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94243More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of a potential Ukraine-Russia peace proposal on the UK's capability commitments to NATO's Eastern Flank.
Answer: The UK welcomes the diplomatic efforts led by President Trump and President Zelenskyy to make progress towards a sustainable peace, and we continue to work closely with our European partners, the United States and Ukraine in support of these discussions w...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Peacekeeping OperationsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recent Ukraine-Russia peace proposals, whether he plans to accelerate any preparations to deploy a potential British peacekeeping force to Ukraine.
Answer: The UK is fully committed to a just and lasting peace and a permanent end to the horrendous suffering that this war has brought to Ukraine.Convened by the Prime Minister and President Macron on 25 November, Coalition of the Willing Leaders met to discuss ...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to reduce the amount of (a) collective and (b) unit training for the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force in (A) 2025-26 and (B) 2026-27.
Answer: Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will continue to conduct collective and unit training, proportionate to their recruitment and continue to modernise and streamline training p...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94240More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, whether his Department has had formal discussions on reducing the amount of training conducted by the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy a
Answer: Training continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force will continue to conduct collective and unit training, proportionate to their recruitment and continue to modernise and streamline training p...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94239More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the workshare for Project Nightfall will be conducted in the United Kingdom.
Answer: The Project NIGHTFALL competition has not yet been launched. As a result, the proportion of workshare to be conducted in the UK is not yet known.In line with the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department will seek to enhance Project NIGHTFALL's benefits...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94238More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the range will be of the ground-launched tactical ballistic missiles under Project Nightfall.
Answer: At this stage, the Department expects the minimum acceptable range of the ground-launched tactical ballistic missiles under Project Nightfall to be 500km. We aim to develop solutions which offer significantly greater range.
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, whether the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 classifies the Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade as a cancellatio
Answer: Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when compl...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether any pre-existing novel technologies in use by his Department will be include
Answer: It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, including autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assist...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, whether his Department's commitment to spend 10% of the MOD equipment budget on nove
Answer: It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, including autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assist...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report, if he will provide a breakdown of the novel technologies that will be included in hi
Answer: It is vital we utilise defence as an engine for innovation and growth, investing in novel technologies where it is possible to do so. We are committed to spend 10% of our equipment budget on novel technologies, including autonomous, uncrewed and AI-assist...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what constitutes a Defence Choice.
Answer: Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when compl...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAircraft Carriers: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 91684 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, when the Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade will take place.
Answer: Equipment to enable UK F-35Bs to undertake Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) is fitted to HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and underwent initial trials in 2023. The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when compl...
Answered 3 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: ContractsMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the transcript of his speech entitled Defence Secretary speech on threats to the UK, published on 19 November 2025, what is the total monetary value of the over 1,000 major contracts signed.
Answer: The total value of the 953 Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts over £1 million is £23,411,117,978.37 (excluding VAT).
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAutonomous Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94230More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Major £5 billion technology investment accelerates UK defence innovation in a European first, published on 2 June 2025, as a monetary figure, how much of
Answer: Uncrewed and Autonomous systems are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence has spent over £450 million on Uncrewed Systems, including over £300 million on their resear...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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