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Question follow-through · 12886

Shipping: Russia

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether discussions were held between the UK Government and their French counterparts on potential interdiction of the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.

answeredMinistry of Defence

About this written question

A written question asks a government minister for information in writing. Parliament publishes the question and any answer.

Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Tabled
24 Jun 2026
Target answer date
29 Jun 2026
Answer
2 Jul 2026 · 8 calendar days after tabling

Elapsed calendar days describe the record timeline, not whether Parliament considers an answer on time.

More questions by this MP on Defence and foreign affairs

Shared topic keywords suggest a connection; they do not establish a follow-up.

Votes on this topic

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Recorded timeline

  1. 24 Jun 2026

    Question tabled

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether discussions were held between the UK Government and their French counterparts on potential interdiction of the sanctioned Russian vessel SMYRTOS during its transit of the channel on 24-25 May 2026.

  2. 29 Jun 2026

    Target answer date

    Date supplied by the official written-questions record.

  3. 2 Jul 2026

    Answer published

    The UK is in regular discussion with our allies to ensure we are ready and able to take action against the dangers posed by the shadow fleet. The interdiction of the SMYRTOS was conducted in close coordination with the French.

Open official record

Official data retrieved 28 Sept 2026.

Later records

Possible follow-up questions

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25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) GR.1 and b) T.2 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft have been transferred to the Indian Air Force since 01 January 2026.

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25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of of 19 June 2026, to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to air filtration on the AJAX vehicle platform does he plan to make.

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Russia: Shipping

25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of selling the crude oil seized when the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet vessel SMYRTOS was interdicted on 14 June 2026.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

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25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the contribution from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry during the Opposition Day debate on Defence Spending and Readiness on 23 June 2026, if he will list the 47 major defence pro

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Armed Forces: Cost Effectiveness

25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference on 23 June 2026, what estimate he has made of savings.

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25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to question 10778 on Merlin Helicopters, for what reason were the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk.4 fleet not grounded following the crash in Sourton, Devon on 3 June 2025.

Unreviewed candidateSame MP and department; topic relationship is unreviewed

Army Reserve

25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026, to question 8857 on Army Reserve: Finance, what is the baseline figure of personnel within the active reserve upon which the 20% increase will be measured.

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Ajax Vehicles: Procurement

25 Jun 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2026 to question 9116 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what improvements to crew compartment heating on the AJAX vehicle platform he plans to make.