James Cartlidge MP: written questions
1844 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Russia: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92639More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to protect British waters from infiltration by the Russian spy vessel Yantar.
Answer: The Royal Navy constantly monitors threats to UK waters, and we are ready and willing to respond if required. The YANTAR’s most recent incursion into British waters was met with a robust response, using capabilities from across the full spectrum of Defenc...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92638More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to protect British military pilots from lasers fired from Russian spy vessels.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him (column 844) and the answer I gave to the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East (column 847) on 20 November 2025 for the Urgent Question on Russian Ship Yantar.
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92637More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on national security of the Russian spy vessel Yantar entering British waters.
Answer: Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research is developing capabilities intended to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime and damage, or even destroy, it during a conflict. These capabilities are deployed from submarines and specialist surfa...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEU Defence PolicyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the Defence Committee's report entitled The UK contribution to European security, published on 19 November 2025, HC 520.
Answer: The government welcomes the Committee’s report. NATO is the bedrock of our defence, with the UK committed alongside our Allies to our collective security. With our NATO First approach, the UK is stepping up to strengthen European security further, and wil...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he considered providing information to Parliament on the attempt by a Russian spy vessel to blind RAF pilots on 19 November 2025.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is committed to updating Parliament on all matters related to national security, including the use of lasers by the Russian spy ship YANTAR The Minister for the Armed Forces answered an Urgent Question in Parliament about this inci...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Northern IrelandMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal.
Answer: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangi...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ScotlandMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Scotland Defence Growth Deal.
Answer: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Scotland Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible bene...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: WalesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Wales Defence Growth Deal.
Answer: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Wales Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to loc...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: South YorkshireMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92631More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal.
Answer: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangib...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: PlymouthMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92630More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal.
Answer: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. We have already made tangible progress with the launch of Team Plymouth on 19 September, who will be leading the de...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSenior Civil Servants: PayCabinet OfficeTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92629More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39926 on Senior Civil Servants: Pay, when he plans to publish the next list of senior officials high earners salaries.
Answer: Departments and their partner organisations are currently collecting the data for the next ‘high earner’ list. It will be published when the data set is complete and the personal information being released about individuals has been fully quality assured....
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ContractsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92628More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether he held discussions with representatives from British SMEs regarding the location of the Defence Office for Small Business Gro
Answer: Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing or...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ContractsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92627More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether the Defence Office for Small Business Growth will use occupy any physical locations.
Answer: Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing or...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ContractsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92626More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether his Department will rent private office space to be used by the Defence Office for Small Business Growth.
Answer: Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing or...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92625More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the competition for the Battlegroup Small Uncrewed Air System on strengthening the British industrial base.
Answer: The information as to who exactly has bid remains commercially sensitive and is currently not for onward release. There are however a number of UK companies involved, providing various different Small Uncrewed Aeriel System (sUAS) solutions. This is testa...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92624More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the competition for the Battlegroup Small Uncrewed Air System will align with the Defence Drone Strategy's commitment to keep up with relentless cycles of battlefield adaptation.
Answer: The information as to who exactly has bid remains commercially sensitive and is currently not for onward release. There are however a number of UK companies involved, providing various different Small Uncrewed Aeriel System (sUAS) solutions. This is testa...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92623More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 70779 on Defence: Intelligence Services.
Answer: I responded to the hon. Member on 20 November 2025.
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92622More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 70685 on NATO.
Answer: I responded to the hon. Member on 28 November 2025.
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92621More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 70669 on NATO.
Answer: I responded to the hon. Member on 28 November 2025.
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on levels of funding for training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.
Answer: There have been no discussions around funding for training specifically. Spend on training continues to be a Departmental priority.
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential for delays to orders of new investments in (a) defence equipment, (b) weaponry and (c) infrastructure in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial ye
Answer: As part of routine Departmental planning processes, both for in-year and future years spend, The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually reviews balance of priorities against available funding. The MOD remains focused on delivering the priorities set out in...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has had formal discussions on reducing the amount of training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.
Answer: On current plans, the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force have not reduced planned training for the current financial year. We have defined training to mean Phase 1 (basic training) and Phase 2 (initial profession training) only. The Royal Navy ...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary ExercisesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92320More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to cancel any named exercises by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the (i) current financial year and (ii) next financial year.
Answer: The Department conducts military exercises to maintain operational effectiveness, raise warfighting readiness and ensure the armed forces are prepared to respond to a wide range of scenarios. These exercises often involve collaboration with our allies and...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Operating CostsMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will disclose the total figure in monetary terms that his Department will spend on day-to-day costs in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.
Answer: The MOD's day to day spending is reflected in its Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits (RDEL).The MOD's RDEL planned settlements for 2025-26 and 2026-27 have been set out as part of the Spending Review. These were £38.6 billion for 2025-26 and £39.6 b...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary ExercisesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92318More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list all named exercises that have been cancelled by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force since 5 July 2024.
Answer: This information is not held centrally and is taking time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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