Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Murrison this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 31 · Ministry of Defence
Whether he plans to make changes to the UK-Morocco security partnership in the context of recent events in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The UK’s security partnership with Morocco is focused on addressing shared defence and security interests through a programme of bilateral activities, which is developed and agreed on an annual basis. Recent events in the Middle East and North Africa have not altered this approach.
What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of body armour currently supplied to the British Army in deflecting projectiles in (a) men (b) women.
We are committed to ensuring that our forces are equipped with the best possible kit for the future, both men and women. We are ensuring that our Service personnel are equipped with appropriate and sufficient protective equipment. As part of this commitment, we are delivering an update to body armour for all UK personnel through the Tactical Ballistic Plates (TBP) project. Assessments of the effectiveness of body armour are conducted as a key part of the selection process prior to any contract award. These assessments are carried out against a detailed set of performance criteria derived from a classified threat assessment, ensuring that the armour provides the required level of protection against relevant ballistic threats. The in-service hard armour plates and soft armour filler are subject to regular inspection and testing to ensure their continued integrity and the protection levels they are designed to provide for all personnel.
How many members of the Irish Defence Forces have undertaken training in the UK in each year for which records are available and what arrangements exist for cost recovery.
Since 2017, a total of 158 members of the Irish Defence Forces have undertaken training on UK Ministry of Dfence-run courses. All costs have been fully funded by Ireland, including course fees and associated expenses.
What fees have been remitted to the UK from the Irish government for the use of UK (a) military (b) naval (c) security assets to safeguard Irish interests in each year for which records exist.
The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges, but the UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland, nor does it deploy security assets to protect Irish subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not received any requests from Ireland for security support during their presidency of the Council of the European Union. Matters relating to Ireland's defence posture and expenditure rest with the Irish authorities, and any enquiries on those issues should be directed to them.
If he will calculate defence sales by UK companies to the Irish Republic in each year for which records are available.
Data on UK defence exports is published annually by UK Defence and Security Exports (UK DSE), now National Armaments Directorate (NAD). They present export figures only at regional level, with no disaggregated data available for Ireland specifically.
Whether his Department will seek to recoup costs from the Irish government for UK security assets during Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges, but the UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland, nor does it deploy security assets to protect Irish subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not received any requests from Ireland for security support during their presidency of the Council of the European Union. Matters relating to Ireland's defence posture and expenditure rest with the Irish authorities, and any enquiries on those issues should be directed to them.
How many injuries have been sustained by servicewomen from body armour in the past 10 years.
Medical records do not attribute injuries to specific items of equipment, and therefore the Ministry of Defence is unable to provide the information requested. The Ministry of Defence remains firmly committed to ensuring that our service personnel are equipped with appropriate and sufficient protective equipment.
When will the British Army be provided with body armour designed to fit women.
The Ministry of Defence remains firmly committed to ensuring that our Service personnel are equipped with appropriate and sufficient protective equipment. As part of this commitment, we are delivering an update to body armour for UK personnel through the Tactical Ballistic Plates (TBP) project. Anthropometric data was used in the design of TBP. Plates will be available in four sizes, to better fit a broader range of personnel, including women. A comprehensive range of options will be assessed ahead of the TBP contract award, which is currently scheduled for December 2026. This evaluation will ensure that the new armour achieves the optimal balance between fit and the protection required for all our personnel. In-service dates will be confirmed once the contract has been awarded and the delivery schedule is finalised.
Whether arrangements exist for refunding the cost of UK security assets used to protect Irish subsea infrastructure from Russian attack.
The UK and Ireland work closely together on shared security challenges, but the UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland, nor does it deploy security assets to protect Irish subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence has not received any requests from Ireland for security support during their presidency of the Council of the European Union. Matters relating to Ireland's defence posture and expenditure rest with the Irish authorities, and any enquiries on those issues should be directed to them.
When he plans to publish the Defence Investment Plan.
The Department is working flat out to deliver the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) which will be published as soon as possible. The DIP is backed by the Government’s largest sustained increase in defence investment since the end of the Cold War, spending £270 billion on defence in this Parliament alone.
Pursuant to his Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 77029 on Israel: Military Aid, following the ceasefire in Gaza, when he will review his decision on Israeli defence personnel attendance on UK courses.
The Ministry of Defence decided to pause future Israeli participation on UK training and education courses until the situation in Gaza and the West Bank had been satisfactorily addressed We will keep this decision under review.
If he will list military training courses booked for Israelis that have been cancelled by the UK in each of the last 5 years.
The Ministry of Defence has not withdrawn any places allocated to Israel on UK training or education courses in the last five years. As you will be aware, the Government took the decision to pause Israeli attendance on UK professional military education given our concerns about the on-going Israeli campaign in Gaza. We will keep this decision under review.
If he will list the countries that are barred from accessing UK military training.
Any decision to provide professional military education or training to a partner nation is made on a case-by-case basis and is underpinned by a robust assessment as to the benefits, risks, and compliance with international human rights law. In the interests of national security and upholding trust and confidentiality in our international partnerships, it is not appropriate for the Government to comment on the provision of training to individual countries.
If he will publish his Department's impact assessment for the removal of UK military courses from Israeli nationals.
To protect formulation of Government policy, advice provided to Ministers on this matter will not be published. Given our concerns regarding the Israeli Defence Force’s conduct in Palestine, particularly following the Government of Israel’s decision to escalate its offensive in Gaza City, the Ministry of Defence decided to pause future Israeli participation on UK training and education courses. To avoid significant disruption to students and their families, any students on UK courses that are currently running have been permitted to continue. We are keeping this decision under review and are mindful of the potential prospects for a ceasefire and long-term resolution to the conflict.
How many Israeli (a) civilians, (b) military officers, (c) military other ranks and (d) defence healthcare workers have previously accessed UK (i) defence courses (ii) training in each year for which records are available.
Our records indicate 174 Israelis have previously accessed UK-based defence courses and training, between the years of 1976 and 2024. Further detail is provided in the attached Annex. Data has been obtained from all available sources but is not guaranteed to be exhaustive given the length of time and because training data is not held in a central database. The data obtained does not differentiate between defence courses and training. I would also note that positions on some UK courses are offered to the Israeli Ministry of Defence – who then allocate positions across the Israel Defence Force. As you will be aware, the Government took the decision to pause Israeli Defence attendance on UK professional military education given our concerns about the military operation in Gaza. We are keeping this decision under review.
Whether the King's Gurkha Artillery will recruit female Nepali citizens.
Gurkhas have made an outstanding contribution to the UK through their years of dedicated service to the Crown and are held in high esteem by the British Army and public alike. The number of recruits required for the Brigade of Gurkhas is managed on an annual basis and depends on factors such as retirements, transfers and any changes in unit Order of Battles. Therefore, the Army cannot provide confirmation on the likely number of Gurkha recruits for each of the next five years. The British Army’s wish to recruit women has been communicated to the Government of Nepal and we will continue to engage them on this subject.
When female Gurkha soldiers will be recruited.
Gurkhas have made an outstanding contribution to the UK through their years of dedicated service to the Crown and are held in high esteem by the British Army and public alike. The number of recruits required for the Brigade of Gurkhas is managed on an annual basis and depends on factors such as retirements, transfers and any changes in unit Order of Battles. Therefore, the Army cannot provide confirmation on the likely number of Gurkha recruits for each of the next five years. The British Army’s wish to recruit women has been communicated to the Government of Nepal and we will continue to engage them on this subject.
How many Gurkhas will be recruited in each of the next five years.
Gurkhas have made an outstanding contribution to the UK through their years of dedicated service to the Crown and are held in high esteem by the British Army and public alike. The number of recruits required for the Brigade of Gurkhas is managed on an annual basis and depends on factors such as retirements, transfers and any changes in unit Order of Battles. Therefore, the Army cannot provide confirmation on the likely number of Gurkha recruits for each of the next five years. The British Army’s wish to recruit women has been communicated to the Government of Nepal and we will continue to engage them on this subject.
What steps he has taken to implement the ruling on For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 in the armed forces.
16 April 2025 saw the Supreme Court ruling that sex is to be understood as biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. Updated Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance will be available in due course, and we’ll consider how this affects our policies when the detail is shared. Our priority is to ensure that all our people in Defence have the support and facilities they need. The Government remains committed to dignity and respect for all, and this has been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.
If he will list communications issued from his Department to potential victims of water contamination in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina between 1953 and 1987.
We take the safety of our personnel very seriously and any veteran that may have served at Camp Lejeune during this period and believes that their health was affected can apply for compensation under the War Pension Scheme. It is also worth noting that the US compensation scheme had been running for almost two years at the point it was raised on 30 July 2024 to the new Ministerial team. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information on British personnel affected by water contamination at US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987; however, we are making every effort to ensure Serving personnel and veterans are aware of their rights moving forward. On notification, I immediately instructed the Ministry of Defence to issue communications to encourage those who think they may have been affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to contact the department. On 2 August 2024 the Department released an article on Gov.uk explaining how to check eligibility and claim before the deadline. This was also followed up by posts on the Department’s social media accounts and internally through Veterans UK and all three Services. I continue to encourage anyone who was based at Camp Lejeune between 1 August 1953 and 31 December 1987 to write to the MOD so that we may provide them with advice.