Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,221–1,240 of 4,542 · this parliament
Which units are equipped with the first 100 Ajax-family vehicles manufactured and assembled in Spain.
The first 100 Ajax vehicles were manufactured in Spain with most of the assembly in Spain. These vehicles were not identified as being related to Question 105104 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement as they are not in service. No units are equipped with the first 100 Ajax-family vehicles manufactured.
Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 98879 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many of each Ajax-platform vehicle has been involved in causing noise and vibration injuries.
The investigation into the safety of the Ajax platform remains ongoing, and as I advised in the Written Statement I made on 22 January 2026, I will provide a further update in due course.
Which Government ministers will be eligible to be called up to the armed forces following proposed changes to eligibility for the strategic reserve.
The Ministry of Defence has not done any such an assessment. It is the personal responsibility of all former Regular Service or current Volunteer Reserve Personnel, including Government Ministers, to determine whether they are affected by the Armed Forces Bill 2026 Reserves measures. Any member of the Regular force or Volunteer Reserve on the day that the regulations come into force will be affected by these measures, though they will have the option to opt-out. Those who have already left the Regulars or Volunteer Reserve or if their liability stemming from Regular Service has now lapsed or they never had one, will not be affected. They will have the option, however, to opt in to the changes.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105582 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what programme does the replacement of Pinzgauer fall under.
The long-term replacement for the Pinzgauer vehicle is being considered within the Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) segment of the Land Mobility Programme. The programme is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Pursuant to the corrected answer of 13 January 2026 to question 102957 on Artillery: Procurement, for what reason the original order was reduced to one RCH 155 platform.
The UK is procuring one Early Capability Demonstrator platform as part of the Mobile Fires Platform programme, and the original order remains unchanged. The corrected answer to Question 102957 reflected the rectification of an administrative error which inadvertently stated that two demonstrator platforms had been purchased. The correction was issued to ensure the Parliamentary record accurately reflects the Department’s procurement position.
How much his Department paid to General Dynamics in relation to the delivery of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.
As at 22 January 2026, the Ministry of Defence has paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £4.664 billion in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105590 on NATO, how many of the six NATO-administered facilities are located within US-run military bases.
One facility—the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC)—is located at RAF Molesworth, a United States Visiting Forces (USVF) base, in Cambridgeshire.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105592 on River Great Ouse: Dredging, for what reason the river has not been dredged since the 1970s and 1980s.
Since the 1980s, the Environment Agency’s (EA) maintenance works have been limited to targeted desilting at specific locations, such as locks, outfalls and gauging stations, to maintain navigation and asset functionality. Sections of the Ely Ouse, from Popes Corner to Littleport, were desilted between 1991 and 1998, and small-scale shoal removals have occurred intermittently near structures such as Denver and Salters Lode Locks in Norfolk. On the Tidal River Great Ouse, the EA undertakes desilting activities at Denver and Salters Lode Locks to maintain a navigable channel, most recently in 2025, and the EA is planning a desilting programme for 2026. The EA also removes silt which accumulates on erosion protection measures, most recently near Salters Lode in February 2025. The EA undertakes targeted dredging where necessary along the River Great Ouse in the locations where it will either support navigation or the reduction of flood risk.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to question 105586 on Navy: Shipping, is the Patrick Blackett (a) in service with the Royal Navy and (b) a commissioned warship.
The XV Patrick Blackett is an experimental vessel, operating under a Blue Ensign. While it is in service with the Royal Navy to test new technologies, as an experimental vessel it is not a commissioned warship.
What was the Capability Drop status of each Ajax-family vehicle within the fleet operated by the Queens Royal Hussars as at 22 November 2025.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 January 2026 to his Question 98879. All vehicles referenced in my response are at Capability Drop 3.
What was the Capability Drop status of each Ajax-family vehicle within the fleet operated by the Household Cavalry Regiment as at 22 November 2025.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 January 2026 to his Question 98879. All vehicles referenced in my response are at Capability Drop 3.
How many people from the Queens Royal Hussars have been diagnosed as suffering from noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle (a) before and (b) after 23 July 2025.
The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical information down to unit level as this would risk identifying individual personnel.
How many individuals from the Household Cavalry Regiment have been diagnosed as with noise and vibration sickness following operating in an Ajax-family vehicle a) before and b) after 23 July 2025.
The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical information down to unit level as this would risk identifying individual personnel.
With reference to the medical status update on personnel injured during Exercise Titan Storm, provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces during the Ajax debate on 14th January 2026, how many of those personnel were in the (a) Household Cavalry Regiment and the (b) Queen’s Royal Hussars.
The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance. I updated the House on 22 January 2026 on those injured as a result of the two incidents since November 2025, which includes Exercise Titan Storm. However, we do not routinely provide medical information down to unit level as this would risk identifying individual personnel.
Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026 to question 105591 on Veterans: Visas, what issues he has encountered in the delivery of a visa fee waiver for dependents of Commonwealth veterans.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Home Office on the Government’s commitment to waive visa fees for non-UK veterans and their dependants. This work is ongoing, and the Department will update Parliament in the usual way once cross Government decisions have been finalised.
How many Ajax-family vehicles were at each Capability Drop status as at 22 November 2025.
At 22 November 2025, the following number of Ajax vehicles were at each Capability Drop: CD1 – 59CD2 – 84CD3 – 172 Total Produced – 315Total Contract - 589 Only Capability Drop 3 vehicles are fielded to Army units.
On which vehicle platforms is he currently assessing the feasibility of equipping the M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of this work, the M230LF is being considered alongside other medium‑calibre cannon options available from industry.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the MARTE Project on future defence export opportunities for Challenger 3.
Challenger 3 is the centrepiece of the British Army’s armoured modernisation programme and will deliver a step change in lethality, survivability and digital integration. The Department continues to explore export opportunities for Challenger 3 and its capabilities under the Land Industrial Strategy.
What assessment he has made of the potential benefits of equipping Ares with the Northrop Grumman M230LF (Link Fed) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun.
The Army and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have established an enduring research programme to assess the benefits of equipping elements of the armoured vehicle fleet with a range of capabilities, including enhanced lethality. As part of this work, the M230LF is being considered alongside other medium‑calibre cannon options available from industry.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Gifford farm development on flooding via Parsons Drove drain in Huntingdon constituency.
The Environment Agency (EA) was consulted on the emerging Local Plan, which sets out potential locations for development in Huntingdonshire, and responded regarding the proposed Gifford’s Park site. In the EA’s response, it advised:A detailed Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and drainage strategy should be provided which addresses all flood risks including climate change.Only ‘water compatible’ development should be permitted in the small area of the site that is at flood risk. ‘Water compatible’ development are designed to be in or next to water so they can safely function in areas that flood.The FRA should consider opportunities for Natural Flood Management to reduce risk. Until the above detailed work is provided by the developer, it is not possible to comment on whether this site may impact flooding specifically via Parson’s Drove Drain.