Mark Francois MP: written questions 2025
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Written questions
National Armaments Director: RecruitmentCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75061More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the value was of the contract awarded by his Department to Korn Ferry for the recruitment of the National Armaments Director.
Answer: The competition was supported by Kornferry: details of the contract award and value are available here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/be88f513-c01a-4620-89f9-1cb2cc686895 and here Executive & Non-Executive Recruitment Se...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023Northern Ireland OfficeTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74826More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 70331 on Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, if he will set out his planned timetable for (a) responding to the Joint Co
Answer: The Government is committed to introducing primary legislation when parliamentary time allows, including to reform and strengthen the independent Commission to ensure it is fully human rights compliant. As I stated at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committe...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTerrorism: Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74825More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 70329 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the jurisdiction in which the trial (a) is taking place for the perso
Answer: In reference to my previous Written Answer, the Northern Ireland Office is aware of at least one individual who has received a so-called 'on-the-run letter’ and is currently awaiting trial in Northern Ireland. We are also aware, through publicly available...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordType 31 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the red delivery confidence rating for the Type 31 frigate programme on the (a) overall user requirements and (b) operational readiness of the Royal Navy.
Answer: The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programm...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordType 31 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what risks he has identified in the complex integration challenges for the Type 31 frigate programme; and what (a) technical and (b) contractual steps he is taking to help mitigate those risks.
Answer: The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programm...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordType 31 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74412More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to meet the first-of-class schedule for the Type 31 frigate.
Answer: The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programm...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordType 31 Frigates: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74411More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the additional costs arising from inflation on the Type 31 frigate programme.
Answer: The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programm...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74410More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what measures are outlined in the pending Review Note to transition the Protector programme from red to green delivery confidence rating; and what (a) timelines and (b) oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure
Answer: A Protector Review Note will be produced after the results of the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published later this year, have been analysed. It is therefore not possible to provide a timetable for the Review Note approval at this time however, once...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74407More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Protector programme has a red delivery confidence rating.
Answer: A Protector Review Note will be produced after the results of the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published later this year, have been analysed. It is therefore not possible to provide a timetable for the Review Note approval at this time however, once...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74406More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for approval of the Review Note for the Protector programme.
Answer: A Protector Review Note will be produced after the results of the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published later this year, have been analysed. It is therefore not possible to provide a timetable for the Review Note approval at this time however, once...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Fairford: Air DisplaysMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70335More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July 2025 was cancelled.
Answer: The Royal Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail successfully conducted a flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on Saturday 19 July 2025.
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Boeing E-7Ministry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68356 on Air Force: Boeing E-7, whether any component of the UK E-7 Wedgetail sustainment contract will involve (a) logistical, (b) maintenance and (c) technical
Answer: The UK E-7 Wedgetail fleet will be supported and maintained within the United Kingdom. However, Boeing, as the aircraft's Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and Northrop Grumman, the OEM for the MESA radar, will provide technical data support from the...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: EquipmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any structural modifications carried out on WT001 post-delivery revealed unforeseen integration challenges with (a) the MESA radar and (b) other mission systems.
Answer: There have been no integration challenges with the MESA radar or other mission systems to date as a result of the structural modifications undertaken.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: StandardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 67826 on Boeing E-7: Standards, what enforcement measures are available for his Department to use if the incentivisation milestones are missed; and whether any o
Answer: Contractual arrangements remain commercially sensitive information and cannot be disclosed publicly.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023Northern Ireland OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70331More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65212 on Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, whether his Department plans to lay the draft Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy
Answer: I have laid a proposal for a draft remedial order in Parliament, representing the first step in fulfilling the Government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. The Order seeks to remedy a number of human rights deficiencies identified by the ...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 62175 on Ajax Vehicles: Journalism, tabled by the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 24 June 2025.
Answer: I responded to the right hon. Member on 1 September 2025.
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTerrorism: Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the number of people who had previously received an on-the-run letter that have since been (a) charged with and (b) prosecuted for terrorist offences.
Answer: This is a matter which falls within the devolved competence of policing and justice, with the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland being the authority responsible for making determinations on bringing criminal charges against individuals. The N...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Boeing E-7Ministry of DefenceTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail applies to the whole fleet; and for what reason that clearance is required.
Answer: The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boein...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Boeing E-7Ministry of DefenceTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68357More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the (a) radar and (b) battle management systems were activated during the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail test flight on 10 July 2025.
Answer: This flight was a post-modification test flight to confirm the aircraft systems function correctly. Mission system testing will commence in autumn 2025 as part of a planned Test and Evaluation schedule.
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Boeing E-7Ministry of DefenceTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68356More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet will be supported in the United States; and what the cost is of that support contract.
Answer: The UK E-7 will be supported and maintained in the United Kingdom. Following the approval of the Full Business Case, the sustainment contract is under negotiation.
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSouth Korea: Boeing E-7Ministry of DefenceTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68355More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of South Korea’s decision to explore alternatives for its E-7 Wedgetail replacement.
Answer: Procurement decisions by any other nation are fully a matter for that nation.
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEarly Warning Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68354More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with NATO allies on the potential procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye as a replacement for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet.
Answer: Procurement decisions by any other NATO nation are fully a matter for that nation and NATO. The MOD will continue with its procurement of Wedgetail to meet national and NATO requirements for Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) which will be i...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: StandardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67828More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's definition of Initial Operational Capability is for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet; and what specific criteria must be met.
Answer: I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The Initial Operational Capability is clearly defined and the RAF is working to ensure the...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: RadarMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail is related to challenges in integrating the Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array MESA radar with the aircraft.
Answer: The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boein...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBoeing E-7: StandardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67826More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contractual penalties will Boeing face if it fails to deliver the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to the agreed capability standards; and how will these penalties be enforced.
Answer: There is no additional cost to the Authority (MOD) due to the late delivery of the aircraft, as Boeing are contracted to deliver a fleet of three Wedgetail under a Firm Price contract. The contract does include incentivisation milestones which are subject...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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