Mark Francois MP: written questions 2026
38 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Challenger Tanks: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1921More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for the Challenger 3.
Answer: As stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Huntington on 22 December 2025 to Question 99970, good progress is being made on the Demonstration phase trials. Whilst the programme has been impacted by some delays within the supply chain, these trials will...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS VenturerMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.
Answer: The first Type 31 frigate, HMS Venturer, is scheduled to be handed over to the Royal Navy by the end of the decade.
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS AchillesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1919More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current estimated IOC for HMS Achilles.
Answer: Achilles, the final vessel, is at an advanced stage of build at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. As a former Defence Minister, I hope the right Hon. Gentleman will recall that the planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withhe...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS LancasterMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Lancaster.
Answer: The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows: HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeksHMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeksHMS ...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS RichmondMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Richmond.
Answer: The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows: HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeksHMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeksHMS ...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS Iron DukeMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the cost of the latest refit of HMS Iron Duke.
Answer: The costs of the most recent deep maintenance periods (Docking Periods) for the specified Type 23 frigates are as follows: HMS Lancaster – £67.6 million - May 2017 - June 2020 - 156 weeksHMS Iron Duke – £102.9 million - May 2019 - May 2023 - 208 weeksHMS ...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordGlobal Combat Air ProgrammeMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1915More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current IOC date for the new, sixth generation Tempest (GCAP) aircraft in RAF service.
Answer: An Initial Operating Capability (IOC) date for the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) will be developed in close coordination with our international partners.
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total cost of the RCH 155m artillery system to the MoD in terms of a) acquisition cost and b) through-life cost.
Answer: In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 p...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1913More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of the proposed buy of additional F-35B aircraft, beyond the 48 originally ordered.
Answer: Spending decisions on future capabilities will be published as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35B aircraft have now been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Ministry of Defence.
Answer: 48 have now been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Ministry of Defence.
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1911More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the definition of initial operating capability (IOC) for the recently ordered 155mm RCH artillery system and when this is likely to be achieved.
Answer: In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 p...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1910More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first of the recently ordered 72 RCH 155mm artillery systems is due to achieve initial operational capability.
Answer: In line with the Integrated Procurement Model, the UK’s Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) programme will deliver a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade. This capability is defined as a Royal Artillery Battery equipped with RCH155 p...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: SafetyMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1892More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the policy of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regarding the risk of potential leaks of engine oil or lubricants into the cockpit atmosphere of military aircraft.
Answer: The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulates military airworthiness risk within the policy framework set by the Secretary of State for Defence in the Health, Safety & Environmental Protection statement. The MAA’s Regulatory Articles and Defence Sta...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAircraft: Air ConditioningDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) has ever ben tasked with investigation of the potential effects of engine oil or lubricants seeping into the cabin air on passenger airliners.
Answer: Our priority is always the safety of passengers and crew, and we continue to work with industry and regulators to drive improvements in safety standards. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has investigated fume events on aircraft, including res...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAircraft: Air ConditioningDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research her Department has conducted into the potential effects of engine oil and lubricants leaking into the cabin air on passenger airliners.
Answer: Our priority is always the safety of passengers and crew, and we continue to work with industry and regulators to drive improvements in safety standards. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has investigated fume events on aircraft, including res...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust: PayDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1889More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the salary band for the recently appointed Chief Executive of the Mid & South Essex NHS Hospitals Trust, in 2026-27.
Answer: The Very Senior Managers (VSM) pay framework was published in May last year and sets out the Government’s policy for senior manager remuneration. The framework aims to align the pay approach for all National Health Service organisations in England to crea...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS England: PayDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1888More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the salary band for the Chief Executive of the NHS East of England, in 2026-27.
Answer: There is no Chief Executive for NHS East of England in the current organisational structure. Currently the members of East of England senior management team consists of regional Executive Senior Managers (ESMs).The ESM pay framework describes the salaries...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: NegligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much was spent by the NHS in England on settling medical negligence claims, in 2025-26.
Answer: We have interpreted this request to mean total payments spent on clinical negligence claims. NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England, and it publishes data for payments made under their cl...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: NegligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1886More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what was the total expenditure of the NHS on medical negligence claims in the 2025-26 financial year.
Answer: We have interpreted this request to mean total payments spent on clinical negligence claims. NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England, and it publishes data for payments made under their cl...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS ResolutionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1885More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what was the total budget for NHS Resolution, in the 2025-26 financial year.
Answer: NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.Information on NHSR’s revenue funding streams and planned expenditure for 2025/26 can be found in its Resolution through collaboration: 2025/...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118159More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he will publish the results of the consultation on proposed Local Government re-organisation in the County of Essex.
Answer: A summary of the consultation responses will be published alongside the decision on which proposal, if any, is to be implemented for unitary local government in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHMS VenturerMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the latest estimated IOC date for HMS Venturer.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to Question 108597. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108597
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordType 45 Destroyers: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Type 45 Destroyers that (a) have completed, (b) are undergoing and (c) are yet to commence the Power Improvement Project power upgrade.
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 11 December 2025, in response to Question 96770 about the Type 45 Destroyer's Power Improvement Project.
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: In-flight RefuellingMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has identified a future requirement for air-to-air boom refuelling capability for the Royal Air Force.
Answer: Air to air refuelling remains a key capability within the Air Mobility Force and increases the endurance, range, payload and flexibility of all capable receiver aircraft. This capability remains important to not only the RAF, but also for our NATO allies....
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which warship was nominated as the Fleet Ready Escort on 1 March 2026.
Answer: The Fleet Ready Escort is undertaken by a Royal Navy warship held at high readiness to respond to tasking as required. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the specific vessel nominated for this role on a g...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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