James Cartlidge MP: written questions
1779 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Army: VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18154More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the total number of heavy equipment transporters in service within the Army tabulated by those (a) currently available and (b) in maintenance.
Answer: The Army’s Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) capability is delivered through a service contract with KBR. The contract, which commenced in July 2024, provides the Army with 80 HET trains (consisting of tractor and trailer) and all maintenance activity and...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGlobal Combat Air ProgrammeMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18153More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November to Question 16232 on Global Combat Air Programme, whether his Department plans to separately ring-fence global combat air programme expenditure for (a) the core platform and
Answer: The UK is committed to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), as the Prime Minister has stated. There are no plans to ringfence GCAP or associated systems, which will be managed in line with the Department's other non-ringfenced programmes.
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18152More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for publishing the next Equipment Plan.
Answer: In light of the Strategic Defence Review and Spending Review we will not be publishing our Equipment Plan publication this year - and the NAO will not be producing their report either.This Government is committed to improving transparency, including aroun...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDefence: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18151More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the RAF budget is for autonomous collaborative platforms in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26, (c) 2026-27, (d) 2027-28, (e) 2028-2029 and (f) 2029-30 broken down by (i) R&D, (ii) procurement of platforms, (iii) supp
Answer: I am withholding the allocated budget for the autonomous collaborative platforms RAF capability portfolio, as it would harm our commercial negotiating position with potential defence suppliers.
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18150More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 15458 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, what capability gaps will exist in the interim period.
Answer: The Puma can conduct a wide range of tasks including aerial firefighting, movement of troops, search and rescue response to disaster relief and humanitarian operations. The MOD is looking to ensure that capability gaps on Cyprus and in Brunei are either f...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18149More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) requests for quotation and (b) requests for proposal were issued by his Department for new capabilities for the armed forces since July 2024 that were not (i) initiated by the previous Government and
Answer: The Department is not able to distinguish how many requests for quotation and requests for proposal that has been issued for the Armed Forces. The Department cannot define whether it was initiated by the previous Government. The Department can provide the...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18148More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) radio frequency directed energy weapons, (b) DragonFire lasers and (c) other directed energy weapons for the protection of (i) UK and (ii) United States Vis
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to accelerating the continued investment in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) technology to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces swiftly. DEW technology mitigates against the increasing th...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18147More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to undertake a full procurement of Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon capability.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the continued investment in UK Sovereign Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons (RFDEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces at pace. The advanced technology is being developed b...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLasers: WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18146More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase funding for R&D on Directed Energy Weapons.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to accelerating and the continued investment in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces at pace. The programme is delivering capability demons...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17848More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has instituted a freeze in his Department on new procurement to satisfy Urgent Capability Requirements.
Answer: The Department has not been told to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17847More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Maldives Government to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met which representative of the Maldives on
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the lead Department for the international and community engagements in regards to the sovereignty negotiations. The Foreign Secretary met Maldives Foreign Minister Khaleel at the Commonwealth Heads of Go...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagossiansMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17846More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Chagossian community since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met how many Chagossians on each such occasion.
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the lead Department for the international and community engagements in regards to the sovereignty negotiations. The Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories has met with members of...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Maldives Government to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met w
Answer: The Foreign Secretary met Maldives Foreign Minister Khaleel at the Commonwealth Heads of Government on 25 October. They discussed a range of issues, including matters relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory. Minister West also spoke with Foreign Mi...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagossiansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Chagossian community since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met how many Chagossians on each such occasion.
Answer: I have met with members of the Chagossian community twice since 4 July 2024. There are a large number of Chagossian groups in the UK and internationally with a spectrum of views. We will continue efforts to engage the community.
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17843More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 2 December 2024, Official Report, Column 27, if he will make an estimate of the cost to his Departme
Answer: This Agreement will be underpinned by a financial package which will support a new era of economic partnership between the UK and Mauritius and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossian communities. Financial obligati...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17842More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 17024 on Defence Equipment and Support, whether he has instructed his Department to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.
Answer: The Department has not been told to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNavy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17841More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost has been of (a) capital and (b) non-capital expenditure on (i) HMS Albion, (ii) HMS Bulwark, (iii) HMS Northumberland, (iv) RFA Wave Knight and (v) RFA Wave Ruler in each of the last five financial
Answer: A breakdown of the costs requested is set out in the attached table.
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17840More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 2 December 2024, Official Report, Column 27, what the estimated cost to the US will be of the Chagos settlement excluding the Government-t
Answer: Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17839More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 2 December 2024, Official Report, Column 27, if he will make an estimate of the cost to his Department of implementing the proposed UK-Mau
Answer: Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17838More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral Answer to the hon. Member for South Suffolk of 11 November 2024, Official Report, Column 505, whether he plans to provide information on the cost of (a) direct payments made to the gove
Answer: Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNational Grid: CostsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17189More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 16211 on National Grid: Costs of the Western and Eastern Links, whether (a) he and (b) Ofgem is able to provide the estimate requested.
Answer: The analysis of an onshore reinforcement (i.e. overhead pylons) for Western Green Link was conducted 16 years ago and cost estimates for alternative options are not available.As the option of an onshore reinforcement for Eastern Green Link 1&2 did not...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordReserve ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17188More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he received the External Scrutiny Team Report 2024 into the Reserves as referred to in Section 113a of the Reserve Forces Act 1996; and whether he plans to publish his response.
Answer: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence received the External Scrutiny Team’s 2024 report on 29 July 2024. We are most grateful to the team for their work. The Ministry of Defence will place their 2024 report in the Library of the House in...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVeterans: WomenMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to commission a Women’s Veterans Strategy.
Answer: This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country, and I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all veterans get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve. W...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish his Department’s pathway for reaching 2.5% of GDP being spent on Defence; and whether he has made any changes to that timetable since 1 November.
Answer: As the Prime Minister has confirmed the path to spending 2.5% of GDP on Defence will be set out in spring 2025.
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordStrategic Defence ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Strategic Defence Review will be (a) delivered to Ministers and (b) made available to the public.
Answer: As previously announced by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons, the Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Defence in the Spring of 2025. The Secretary of...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament record
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