Written questions by Bowie.

What assessment he has made of the decision to move away from destroyer-led air defence fleets at a time when other major naval powers are increasing the size of their destroyer fleets.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on employment at BAE Systems’ shipyards on the Clyde of the decision to cancel or not proceed with the Type 83 destroyer programme.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Technical Advice on Potential Future Nuclear Power Plant Siting in Scotland report, what assessment he has made of the potential generating capacity that could be delivered if new nuclear power stations were developed at the sites identified in the report.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has held with representatives of the Scottish shipbuilding industry on the impact of changes to Royal Navy procurement plans on investment and workforce retention.

Awaiting answer.

How many crewed surface combatants he expects the Royal Navy to operate in the 2030s under the revised fleet model and how this compares with previous plans.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the revised volunteer model on the recruitment of coastguard rescue officers in rural coastal areas.

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...

What assessment she has made of the (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) operational capability of Coastguard Rescue Officers across different coastal regions.

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to coastguard rescue officers pay on public safety.

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...

What steps she will take to monitor operational readiness following the Maritime Coastguard Agency transition to a revised volunteer model for coastguard rescue officers.

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...

What factors were taken into consideration in the determination of the September 2026 transition date for the Maritime Coastguard Agency's revised volunteer model.

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunt...

When he plans to respond to the consultation on gas system resilience.

The department welcomes engagement on such an important issue and is making an assessment of all the evidence submitted. A response will be published in due course.

What impact the delay in responding to the gas resilience consultation will have on (a) energy security and (b) preparedness for future supply shocks.

The GB gas system has a strong track record of reliability, consistently meeting demand, including during periods of global uncertainty. We work closely with Ofgem, NESO and National Gas to monitor security of supply; and are confident that National Gas, ...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of planning guidance in accounting for the potential presence of undocumented military remains where local authority records are known

My Department has made no specific assessment of the adequacy of planning guidance in accounting for the potential presence of undocumented military remains where local authority records are known to be incomplete. The National Planning Policy Framework m...

What steps his Department takes to ensure that developers are aware of their legal obligations under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) works closely with other stakeholders, including the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the Air Historical Branch (AHB) and local authorities to assess whether a licence should be issued according...

Whether the Ministry of Defence (a) requires and (b) recommends on-site surveys by appropriately qualified specialists to determine the presence of military aircraft remains prior to construction works.

The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) works closely with other stakeholders, including the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the Air Historical Branch (AHB) and local authorities to assess whether a licence should be issued according...

What role the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre plays in overseeing or approving works which may disturb WWII aircraft wreckage; and how frequently licences have been issued in such contexts in the past fiv

The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) works closely with other stakeholders, including the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the Air Historical Branch (AHB) and local authorities to assess whether a licence should be issued according...

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of current processes to identify and protect historic military aircraft crash sites during major infrastructure developments, including electricity transmis

The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) works closely with other stakeholders, including the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the Air Historical Branch (AHB) and local authorities to assess whether a licence should be issued according...

Whether his Department has issued guidance to energy companies on engagement with local historians, museums, and independent researchers with specialist knowledge of wartime crash sites.

When a developer applies for consent for a new development, the Planning Guidance is clear that they must do a thorough assessment of all likely impacts. This will include talking to relevant bodies about specific issues. Relevant bodies may include Histo...

What due diligence is required of energy transmission developers to assess the presence of protected military remains on proposed development sites.

When a developer applies for consent for a new development, the Planning Guidance is clear that they must do a thorough assessment of all likely impacts. This will include talking to relevant bodies about specific issues. Relevant bodies may include Histo...

When he will publish the results of Great British Energy - Nuclear’s study into potential sites for new nuclear development in Scotland.

In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. Ther...