Mark Francois MP: written questions 2025
453 published records · newest first.
Written questions
RAF 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 BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61127More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a judicial review of a Minister's actions in relation to the use of Diego Garcia would be allowed under Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos
Answer: The Treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty is not capable of being a source of domestic rights or obligations save to the extent that in due course Parliament enacts provision for them.
Answered 27 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 recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written QuestionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61121More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question (a) 58924, (b) 58928, (c) 58929 and (d) 58932, tabled on 11 June 2025.
Answer: A response has been provided for each of these parliamentary questions on Friday 20 June.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagossiansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60828More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to articles 6 and 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whethe
Answer: Ahead of ratification, the Government will make a ministerial Statement in both Houses providing a factual update on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the trust fund.
Answered 2 Jul 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 recordNational Armaments Director: Public AppointmentsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60826More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many candidates are under consideration for the National Armaments Director role.
Answer: An announcement on the outcome of the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role will be announced in due course.Due to candidate confidentiality we are unable to confirm how many candidates are under consideration.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Armaments Director: Public AppointmentsCabinet OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60825More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made in the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role, announced on 25 October 2024, and what his timeline is for the appointment of a candidate to this position.
Answer: An announcement on the outcome of the recruitment process for the National Armaments Director role will be announced in due course.Due to candidate confidentiality we are unable to confirm how many candidates are under consideration.
Answered 25 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 recordAWACS: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Air Force plans to (a) reconsider its procurement strategy and (b) evaluate the acquisition of the E-2D Hawkeye to replace or supplement its existing E-7 Wedgetail fleet, in the context of the U
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is continuing with its procurement of E-7 Wedgetail in order to meet the national and NATO requirements for an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) capability which is interoperable with its allies.As highlighted in the Strate...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he considered including a new medium helicopter programme within the Strategic Defence Review; and whether he plans to implement such a programme.
Answer: There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The Ministry of Defence i...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex IV of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the
Answer: Details of the arbitration mechanism, including the identities of arbitrators, will be agreed with Mauritius through the Joint Commission.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a complaint against Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba on the storage of nuclear weapons on Diego Garcia; and whet
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), which internat
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his PQ 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58924More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54676 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Ar
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Written QuestionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question (a) 56739, (b) 56740 and (c) 56741 on Strategic Defence Review, tabled on 3 June 2025.
Answer: I responded to the right hon. Member's Questions 56739 and 56740 on 11 June 2025 and to Question 56741 on 10 June 2025.
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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