James Cartlidge MP: written questions 2025
2176 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Astute Class Submarines: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44510More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Astute programme.
Answer: This Government is committed to building seven Astute Class submarines. Five submarines have been delivered to the Royal Navy. In October 2024 the sixth vessel, Agamemnon, launched at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow to begin the test and commissioning ...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordTrident Submarines: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44509More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Dreadnought programme.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 36206 from the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 March 2025.
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordType 31 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44508More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Type 31e programme.
Answer: The Type 31 programme has made significant progress, with the first frigate, HMS Venturer, nearing structural completion and expecting to be launched later this year. HMS Active, the second in Class, is also progressing well, as has work on the third frig...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordType 26 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44507More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems (BAES) to ensure the Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates to replace the Type 23.Following the ste...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44506More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how will the Land Industrial Strategy align with the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Answer: The strategic aim of this Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy is to make sure the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. This will include reviewing and reconfirming the areas where the UK needs to retain sovereign pr...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Protective ClothingMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44505More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to incorporate the Personal Hard Armour Framework into the Land Industrial Strategy.
Answer: The Personal Hard Armour Framework will facilitate the procurement of personal ballistic protection through the pre-approval of suppliers and will deliver agility, consistency, and financial savings in the procurement of personal hard armour - whilst enco...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Protective ClothingMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44504More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to incorporate the Personal Hard Armour Framework into the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Answer: The Personal Hard Armour Framework will facilitate the procurement of personal ballistic protection through the pre-approval of suppliers and will deliver agility, consistency, and financial savings in the procurement of personal hard armour - whilst enco...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Data ProtectionMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44503More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to conduct an investigation into the improper disposal of confidential documents in Newcastle on 16 March 2025.
Answer: We take the protection of our information very seriously and this incident is being investigated. We do not comment on the conduct of internal security investigations.
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPuma Helicopters: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 34638 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, whether he plans to provide an interim capability for (a) Cyprus and (b) Brunei between 7 April 2025 and 7 April 2026.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to routinely assess and reassess capabilities required by deployed UK forces. In support of Commander British Forces Cyprus, two Royal Air Force CH47 Chinook helicopters are currently forward deployed to provide an aerial...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPuma Helicopters: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 34638 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, what assessment he has made of any capability gap created by retiring the Puma helicopter fleet in (a) Brunei and (b) Cyp
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to routinely assess and reassess capabilities required by deployed UK forces. In support of Commander British Forces Cyprus, two Royal Air Force CH47 Chinook helicopters are currently forward deployed to provide an aerial...
Answered 29 May 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of defence reform on Deputy Chief of Defence (a) staff positions and (b)
Answer: The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces has been considered as part of Defence Reform, including the ranks of the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff roles. Within the Military Strategic Headquarters, there remains two Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence in drafting ministerial correspondence since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is exploring various applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance corporate services and drive efficiency. While officials may use approved AI tools (such as large language models) to assist with background research and ...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (
Answer: The National Armaments Director (NAD) is responsible for end-to-end acquisition and efficient delivery of capability, maximising value for money. The Director General Commercial & Industry, in the NAD group, will delegate Commercial authorities to pro...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what budgetary powers will be held by the single services.
Answer: As part of Defence Reform, the Chiefs will report directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the first time under the Military Strategic Headquarters, and will be responsible for the running costs of their business, including maintaining the readiness...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of defence reform on single service budgets.
Answer: Single Service budgets now sit in the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ), under the Chief of Defence Staff. Their capital investment budgets now sit with the National Armaments Director – in one ‘invest’ budget. These changes will speed up our decisio...
Answered 23 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNuclear WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what the detailed changes to the Chief of Defence nuclear portfolio will be as a result of Defence Reform.
Answer: There are no changes proposed to the Chief of Defence Nuclear portfolio at this time. Whilst the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) structures remain the same, it will continue to work as an integrated enterprise as part of One Defence and use Defence Refor...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ReformMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, whether he considers the Military Strategic Headquarters to be a quango.
Answer: No, the Military Strategic Headquarters is not a quango. It sits within the Ministry of Defence and is a vital part of the new Defence operating model, acting as the single point of force design and delivery of the Armed Forces.
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director Group: Defence Support GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43990More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (
Answer: The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director Group: Defence DigitalMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (
Answer: The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director Group: DstlMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (
Answer: The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director Group: Defence Equipment & SupportMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43987More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (
Answer: The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment & Support: National Armaments Director GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43986More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he plans to (a) abolish, (b) absorb and (c) resubordinate Defence Equipment and Support in the context of t
Answer: The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the Military Strategic Headquarters will have its own secretariat.
Answer: The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters organisational structure is in development and will include a secretariat function. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department.
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ReformMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he plans to publish the Defence Industrial Strategy before the post of National Armaments Director has been
Answer: The National Armaments Director Group, set up on 1 April 2025, will fix the broken procurement system within the Ministry of Defence and make defence an engine for economic growth in every corner of the UK. It will bring together teams delivering the nati...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ReformMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, whether he plans to publish the Defence Industrial Strategy (a) before or (b) after the creation of the National Armaments Di
Answer: The National Armaments Director Group, set up on 1 April 2025, will fix the broken procurement system within the Ministry of Defence and make defence an engine for economic growth in every corner of the UK. It will bring together teams delivering the nati...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
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