Mark Francois MP: written questions
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025
How these years work
Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
283 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ministry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64407More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question 59988, tabled on 16 June 2025.
Answer: I responded to the right hon. Member on 3 July 2025.
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordRoyal MarinesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63532More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the refit of RFA Lyme Bay on the operational capability of the Royal Marines; and what steps he is taking to ensure the Royal Marines’ amphibious capabilitie
Answer: RFA LYME BAY is undergoing routine planned maintenance to ensure continued sustainability for operations. Royal Marines operations continue to be supported by the remainder of the amphibious fleet. These ships will continue to support amphibious capabilit...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: Government AssistanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take ensure that independent oversight is provided for the activities of the VALOUR Team; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of that oversight on tackling regiona
Answer: The structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR are currently being developed and will also be informed by lessons learned during the Northern pilot announced last week. It will not be a service that is a blueprint for everyone, but we will take th...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Advisory and Pensions CommitteesMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the recruitment of new members to the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees has been paused; and what plans he has to restart that process.
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordNorthern Ireland Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee: Public AppointmentsMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to appoint a new Chair of the Northern Ireland Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that veterans in Northern Ireland receive parity of support
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023Ministry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the ability of Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees to fulfil their statutory functions under the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023 prior to the co
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023Ministry of DefenceTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward regulations to implement the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023.
Answer: Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Department...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 25 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62547More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 61499 on RAF Brize Norton: Security, which (a) agency or (b) organisation was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.
Answer: The Royal Air Force Police and Military Provost Guard Service are responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton. This is a part of the multilayered approach to security across the site. The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues and the Defence...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: JournalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 60432 on Ajax Vehicles, if she will list the journalists invited to Bovington to (a) attend and (b) observe activities relating to the Ajax armoured vehicle prog
Answer: Journalists are routinely present at events where Ajax is demonstrated and/or discussed. Ajax is currently in the manufacturing and fielding platforms to the Army phase of the programme. Since 1 February 2025, there have been no Ajax-specific events to wh...
Answered 1 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question (a) 59988 on Grumman E-2 Hawkeye: Procurement, (b) 59989 on Boeing E-7: Procurement, (c) 59990 on Boeing E-7: Procurement and (d) 59991 on Boeing E-7: Cost Effectiveness, tabled o
Answer: I responded to the right hon. Member’s Questions 59990 and 59991 on 26 June 2025 and I will respond to Questions 59988 and 59989 shortly.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: Trespass and VandalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent (a) trespass and (b) vandalism at (i) RAF Brize Norton and (ii) other Ministry of Defence sites designated as protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Answer: As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Ministry of Defence Police was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.
Answer: No.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) make and (b) name was of each aircraft affected by the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.
Answer: The two aircraft targeted in the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025 are both RAF Voyagers. Due to operational security reasons, I hope the Rt hon. Gentleman will understand that we will not be able to confirm the names of the aircraft inv...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize Norton: VandalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of vandalism at RAF Brize Norton on its (a) air-to-air refuelling and (b) transport capabilities.
Answer: The incident did not affect RAF operational output. All flights have gone ahead as planned using alternative aircraft. Personnel at RAF Brize Norton continue to provide rapid global mobility and air to air refuelling capability, in support of operations a...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Brize NortonMinistry of DefenceTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will establish an inquiry into the adequacy of the security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton.
Answer: As I announced in my statement to the House on Monday 23 June 2025, that I believe the right hon. Gentleman was present for, a full security review is underway at RAF Brize Norton with additional reviews across the Defence Estate.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61129More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Q11 of the oral evidence given by Professor Philippe Sands to the International Relations and Defence Committee in the House of Lords on 11 June 2025, whether Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the UK-Maur
Answer: It is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. As I have explained to the right hon. Gentleman before, Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the Chagos Archipelago treaty, once...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61128More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 4 of the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Mauritius invoking international law on military activities on D
Answer: All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia. Article 4 of the treaty reflects the existing UK position.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025] would require the Government to block the US from using the Base on Diego Garcia
Answer: All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia. Article 4 of the treaty reflects the existing UK position.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(i) of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanati
Answer: The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, ...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60824More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanating from Diego Garcia under Paragraph 1 (b) (i) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archip
Answer: The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, ...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: SpeechesMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department has advised senior military officers not to speak on the record at events where a Minister is present; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that guidance on
Answer: This is not true. Recently, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker spoke on the record, and live on Sky Television at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on the same day as the Secretary of State for Defence.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: JournalismMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60432More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any journalists have been invited to (a) attend and (b) observe activities relating to the Ajax armoured vehicle programme since 1 February 2025.
Answer: Journalists are routinely present at events where Ajax is demonstrated and/or discussed. Ajax is currently in the manufacturing and fielding platforms to the Army phase of the programme.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the (a) financial accountability and (b) value for money of the E-7 Wedgetail programme; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of launching an indep
Answer: Identified as part of the Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP), the Wedgetail programme is subject to regular reviews by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority who undertake regular assessment of the E-7 programme and report...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59990More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his US counterpart on the (a) future of the E7 Wedgetail programme and (b) interoperability between both nations.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence have continual engagement with the US regarding the E-7 programme, specifically through the trilateral agreement and working groups established in 2022. These focus on collaboration and interoperability as directed in a Joint Vison...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out what (a) technical and (b) management issues are causing the delay in the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft WT001 flight test programme; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the late-20
Answer: The Wedgetail programme has already completed three test flights and will continue to undertake comprehensive ground and flight tests throughout 2025 to achieve the approved In-Service Date. Engagement continues with Boeing and the Ministry of Defence to ...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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