Written questions by Snowden.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of the BAE Systems site at Warton to the delivery of the Future Combat Air Systems; and what proportion of FCAS-related research and development and production work is expected to take place in Lancashire.

BAE Systems is a prime contributor to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, and the Warton site plays a central role in the development of advanced technologies, systems integration, and digital engineering as part of Team Tempest.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, what other regions were considered for initial Defence Growth Deals; and what criteria was used for selection.

Multiple regions across the United Kingdom were considered and assessed as potential recipients of the Defence Growth Deal. As mentioned in the previous response, the regions were assessed using the following criteria: Defence Industrial Base and Ecosystem: The area's strategic importance to defence, including strengths in specific DIS sub-sectors. Strategic Location Alignment with existing Government regional growth initiatives. Growth Potential: Measures to boost local productivity (e.g., training, R&D) and the overall labour market.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, what consultation with local hon. Members in the five areas took place; and what impact this consultation had upon the decision to award deals to the areas.

Prior to the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department conducted a public consultation with over 200 responses. There was not a specific consultation directed at MPs in specific Defence Growth Deal areas, in part because work is still ongoing to establish the precise focus and scope of these areas. Significant engagement is taking place with devolved and Local Governments, and we will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure these deals drive growth in their respective areas.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, when his Department plans to announce the next wave of regions eligible for Defence Growth Deals; and whether the same assessment criteria will apply.

Any additional Defence Growth Deals will be announced, should fiscal and economic circumstances permit in the next Parliament, the selection of eligible regions will be informedby the assessment criteria for Defence Growth Deals. This criteria will be robustly assessed against our ambitions set out in the plan for change to increase living standards in every region and nation in the UK and making Defence an Engine for Growth.

How many Malloy T-150 drones have been procured by his Department.

The Royal Navy took delivery of 20 Malloy T-150 Drones in November 2024. In September 2025 the Royal Navy declared that they had been 'Released to Service' in accordance with Military Aviation Authority Regulations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, whether his Department conducted a public consultation or engaged with local stakeholders before selecting the initial five regions.

Prior to the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department conducted a public consultation with over 200 responses and there was significant engagement and collaboration between local and national government officials to identify and develop specific proposals for each nation and region.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable regional distribution of defence investment under the new Defence Industrial Strategy.

The Defence Industrial Strategy contains a number of policy offerings designed to support and bolster the defence industrial base across the nations and regions of the UK. This includes the five Defence Growth Deals that were announced in Plymouth, South Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Defence Growth Deals are just one element of the commitment we have made to the nations and regions of the UK and the Defence Investment Plan which will be published this autumn, will work to ensure that defence is investing in the most appropriate way to support defence and defence-adjacent companies and deliver growth for the whole of the UK.

What locations have been selected for the Defence Technical Excellence Colleges; and how will the £182 million investment in defence skills be distributed.

No locations for Defence Technical Excellence Colleges have yet been chosen. They will be selected through a fair and transparent competition process, run by the Department for Education working with the Ministry of Defence. We expect the competition to be launched later this year. All general further education colleges in England will be able to apply, subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria. Further details on the process and criteria will be published in due course. The Ministry of Defence, working with partners across Government, industry and the skills community, will oversee the £182 million investment to ensure the skills package is delivered effectively to boost skills in the sector.

What criteria his Department used to select Plymouth and South Yorkshire as the initial locations for Defence Growth Deals.

The five Defence Growth Deals announced on 8 September 2025 by the Secretary of State for Defence covering Plymouth, South Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were assessed using a criteria that looked at the Defence Industrial Base and Ecosystem, the area’s strategic importance to defence, including strengths in specific D Industrial Strategy sub-sectors. It looked at Strategic Location and alignment with existing HMG regional growth initiatives. Finally it looked at Growth Potential such as measures to boost local productivity (e.g., training, R&D) and the overall labour market.

What role the Office of Defence Exports (ODE) will play in securing government-to-government defence export deals; and what targets have been set for the ODE in its first year.

As the Defence Industrial Strategy makes clear “The new Office of Defence Exports (ODE) means responsibility for defence exports has been unified under the control of the MOD. This creates a government-to-government exports offer which reflects what our allies and our industry need”. The ODE will, therefore, play a central role in securing Government-to-Government defence export deals, working closely with Other Government Departments. Design work for the Exports function is well underway. Initial stand up is expected no later than end October 2025 with full implementation – including the development of performance measures - continuing over the next 12 months.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential security risks posed to military sites by (a) what3words and (b) other digital mapping platforms.

Defence is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and will continue to adapt and respond to all threats to safeguard our national defence capabilities. While we are unable to comment on specific security arrangements including the security risks posed by what3words and other digital mapping platforms, I can assure the hon. Member that we take the security of our sites extremely seriously and we are continually reviewing and updating our security measures.

What steps he plans to take to return of Weeton Barracks to its original military function; and what his planned timetable is for the complete withdrawal of ARAP-related residents.

Weeton Barracks has been occupied by 1st Battalion The Lancashire Regiment since 2024. It was not used as transitional accommodation for Afghans. I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that only surplus Service Family Accommodation was allocated as part of the Afghan Relocation Programme. There has been no impact caused by the Afghan Relocation Programme on military training operations or the availability of housing for Service personnel at Weeton Barracks. The Afghan Entitled Persons (EPs) are expected to have vacated the Surplus SFA by the end of November 2025. Following the vacation of the Afghan EPs, the properties will be refurbished as required and made available for allocation to Service personnel.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of Weeton Barracks for transitional accommodation on (a) military training operations and (b) the availability of housing for service personnel and their families.

Weeton Barracks has been occupied by 1st Battalion The Lancashire Regiment since 2024. It was not used as transitional accommodation for Afghans. I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that only surplus Service Family Accommodation was allocated as part of the Afghan Relocation Programme. There has been no impact caused by the Afghan Relocation Programme on military training operations or the availability of housing for Service personnel at Weeton Barracks. The Afghan Entitled Persons (EPs) are expected to have vacated the Surplus SFA by the end of November 2025. Following the vacation of the Afghan EPs, the properties will be refurbished as required and made available for allocation to Service personnel.

For what reason 15 October 2025 is the closing date for the War Widows Recognition Payment Scheme; and whether mechanisms exist for extending that deadline for exceptional cases.

An update titled "War Widows Urged to Claim Recognition Payment Before October 2025 Deadline" was published on 22 August 2025 on GOV.UK to raise awareness of the Scheme's closure to ensure those eligible have the opportunity to claim before the deadline. This followed a Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 July 2025. Details have been shared with members of the Confederation of Service Charities, the War Widows' Association and other members of the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG). Details were also published on the Armed Forces Covenant website on 1 September 2025. The Ministry of Defence’s Veterans Welfare Service remains available to support individuals in completing their applications. We will report back to the DBFG in 2026 with details on the final numbers and uptake of the Scheme. Since its launch on 16 October 2023, the Scheme has approved over 240 applications, awarding more than £21 million and providing meaningful recognition to eligible recipients. Over 70% of applications were submitted in the first three months, but activity has dropped sharply, with just 14 claims in 2025. An internal review confirmed the Scheme was on track to achieving its objectives, and with demand now significantly reduced, the Government will proceed with its planned closure on 15 October 2025. A final communications push will urge those yet to apply to act before the deadline. Further details of the internal review, including analysis can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/war-widowers-recognition-payment

What steps he is taking to advertise the deadline for the closure of the War Widows Recognition Payment Scheme to eligible bereaved spouses.

An update titled "War Widows Urged to Claim Recognition Payment Before October 2025 Deadline" was published on 22 August 2025 on GOV.UK to raise awareness of the Scheme's closure to ensure those eligible have the opportunity to claim before the deadline. This followed a Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 July 2025. Details have been shared with members of the Confederation of Service Charities, the War Widows' Association and other members of the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG). Details were also published on the Armed Forces Covenant website on 1 September 2025. The Ministry of Defence’s Veterans Welfare Service remains available to support individuals in completing their applications. We will report back to the DBFG in 2026 with details on the final numbers and uptake of the Scheme. Since its launch on 16 October 2023, the Scheme has approved over 240 applications, awarding more than £21 million and providing meaningful recognition to eligible recipients. Over 70% of applications were submitted in the first three months, but activity has dropped sharply, with just 14 claims in 2025. An internal review confirmed the Scheme was on track to achieving its objectives, and with demand now significantly reduced, the Government will proceed with its planned closure on 15 October 2025. A final communications push will urge those yet to apply to act before the deadline. Further details of the internal review, including analysis can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/war-widowers-recognition-payment

What support mechanisms are in place to help (a) widows, (b) widowers and (c) civil partners complete applications for the War Widows Recognition Payment Scheme before 15 October 2025.

An update titled "War Widows Urged to Claim Recognition Payment Before October 2025 Deadline" was published on 22 August 2025 on GOV.UK to raise awareness of the Scheme's closure to ensure those eligible have the opportunity to claim before the deadline. This followed a Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 July 2025. Details have been shared with members of the Confederation of Service Charities, the War Widows' Association and other members of the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG). Details were also published on the Armed Forces Covenant website on 1 September 2025. The Ministry of Defence’s Veterans Welfare Service remains available to support individuals in completing their applications. We will report back to the DBFG in 2026 with details on the final numbers and uptake of the Scheme. Since its launch on 16 October 2023, the Scheme has approved over 240 applications, awarding more than £21 million and providing meaningful recognition to eligible recipients. Over 70% of applications were submitted in the first three months, but activity has dropped sharply, with just 14 claims in 2025. An internal review confirmed the Scheme was on track to achieving its objectives, and with demand now significantly reduced, the Government will proceed with its planned closure on 15 October 2025. A final communications push will urge those yet to apply to act before the deadline. Further details of the internal review, including analysis can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/war-widowers-recognition-payment

Whether the UK Emergency Alert System has been (a) tested and (b) integrated with military contingency planning for civil emergencies.

Contingency plans for civil emergencies are cohered by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Government. Defence support is integrated into those plans where required through the Military Aid to Civilian Authorities (MACA) process. Emergency Alerts are integrated within those plans by the Cabinet Office. The alert system has been tested, with the last test having taken place on 7 September 2025.

If his Department will publish a post-programme evaluation of the (a) uptake, (b) communication efficacy, (c) demographic reach and (d) lessons learned of the War Widows Recognition Payment Scheme within 12 months of the scheme closing.

An update titled "War Widows Urged to Claim Recognition Payment Before October 2025 Deadline" was published on 22 August 2025 on GOV.UK to raise awareness of the Scheme's closure to ensure those eligible have the opportunity to claim before the deadline. This followed a Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 July 2025. Details have been shared with members of the Confederation of Service Charities, the War Widows' Association and other members of the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG). Details were also published on the Armed Forces Covenant website on 1 September 2025. The Ministry of Defence’s Veterans Welfare Service remains available to support individuals in completing their applications. We will report back to the DBFG in 2026 with details on the final numbers and uptake of the Scheme. Since its launch on 16 October 2023, the Scheme has approved over 240 applications, awarding more than £21 million and providing meaningful recognition to eligible recipients. Over 70% of applications were submitted in the first three months, but activity has dropped sharply, with just 14 claims in 2025. An internal review confirmed the Scheme was on track to achieving its objectives, and with demand now significantly reduced, the Government will proceed with its planned closure on 15 October 2025. A final communications push will urge those yet to apply to act before the deadline. Further details of the internal review, including analysis can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/war-widowers-recognition-payment

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of commemoration the contribution of British famers to national security (a) through their service in the Home Guard and (b) supervision of prisoners of war during the Second World War.

The Ministry of Defence has made no such assessment. Farmers played an important role in the national effort to defeat Nazism, including through their service in the Home Guard and the supervision of prisoners of war. Farmers who undertook actual military service during the Second World War would have had their eligibility for appropriate military honours and awards considered in the immediate post-war period, alongside all other military personnel. However, any commemoration of the contribution made by farmers to national security during the Second World War would be a matter for consideration by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Home Office.

What recent estimate he has made of the number of buildings owned by his Department that have asbestos.

We take the health and safety of our Service personnel and defence employees extremely seriously and have robust procedures around managing asbestos which comply with Health and Safety regulations. We are responsible for circa 1,967 sites and each building with confirmed asbestos is listed on the relevant site asbestos register. This data is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.