Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What progress his Department has made developing the WEEVIL mine-clearance vehicle.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 95410 on 8 December 2025 which remains extant.

When is Operation Shader scheduled to end.

The UK remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh through Op SHADER. Whilst all UK operations remain under constant review, there are no plans to end Op SHADER. The UK will continue to do what is necessary to prevent a Daesh resurgence, support regional stability and protect UK national security.

What will the terms of engagement be for those participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme.

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. The Services are finalising their Gap Year plans, including the specifics on terms of engagement, professional training and military qualifications. Services will have the flexibility to provide the most appropriate employment, experiences and skills that offer best value to both participants and Defence. It is intended that participants will be remunerated with equivalency to Regular personnel, with pay, allowances and pension arrangements to be finalised prior to implementation. The schemes will start as a pilot during 2026, to understand the impact and measure success. The pilot is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future cohorts. The total cost to Defence to deliver the pilot scheme is £13M, which will be drawn from existing training and workforce budgets. No costing has yet been completed for future cohorts; which will be informed by the pilot scheme. Participants will undertake their Foundation Years in the enlisted recruit entry rank for each Service, on enlisted terms of engagement. Following completion of training, Royal Navy participants will be classed as Able Seaman Class 2, Army participants will be classed as Private soldiers (or capbadge equivalent) and RAF participants will be classed as Air Specialist 2. The Royal Navy is developing a one-year scheme for sailors with employment offered across operational surface platforms in non-technical activities with participants living and working alongside sailors on ships at sea.The Army is developing an 18-month training scheme, with roles varied across specific trades in the Infantry, Royal Artillery and Royal Logistic Corps.The RAF is developing a one-year programme which will involve participants working alongside Regulars from the RAF’s twelve professions, working across all departments and gaining an understanding of the potential roles available within the RAF.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 January to Question 100522, on General Dynamics, what additional steps were taken by the Army between 23 July 2026 and 15 September 2026 in order to assess that Ajax had fulfilled the Army’s criteria to achieve Initial Operating Capability.

The programme met the pre-agreed elements needed for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on 23 July 2025. Following this, the Army conducted further work to confirm the standard has been met which resulted in IOC being confirmed by the Army internally on 15 September 2025 .

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 98881, on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what issues were (a) identified and then (b) resolved during the pause in delivery of the programme between June 2021-2023.

In 2021, under the last Government, the Department publicly acknowledged concerns about levels of noise and vibration on the Ajax vehicles. The issues were investigated at the time and appropriate remedial action was put in place. This remedial work was then validated through extensive testing.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions has she had with her Danish counterparts on support for the nation regarding the sovereignty of the territory of Greenland.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate, where she set out in comprehensive terms the UK's position on Greenland. The Foreign Secretary and I are in regular contact with our Danish counterparts.

What is the current planned dates for the (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability declaration for the RCH 155.

The Mobile Fires Platform Project which will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System intended to be mounted on Boxer, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to confirm platform numbers, delivery timelines and expected in-service dates. Analysis of future equipment fielding is ongoing. We are making good progress however with the purchase of two of these systems which are undergoing further testing.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the Pelindaba Treaty on the operation of (a) air and (b) maritime operations from Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.

The security provisions we have secured as part of the UK-Mauritius Agreement ensure that the UK will continue to have full operational control over Diego Garcia, including unrestricted access to and use of the military base. Both the UK and Mauritius are satisfied that our existing international obligations are fully compatible with the Agreement. All operations on Diego Garcia will continue to comply with applicable international law.

How many firearms offences have been committed with 3D-printed guns in each of the last five years.

Offences involving the use of 3D printed firearms offences are not recorded separately within the crime statistics published by the Office for National Statistics. A firearm manufactured using 3D printing technology is regarded as a firearm under the Firearms Act 1968 and the controls set out in that Act apply. The overall number of offences involving firearms offences decreased by 16%, to 5,053 offences in the year ending June 2025 compared to the year ending June 2024.The Government works closely with the police and the National Crime Agency to ensure that we have the right laws, intelligence, detection and enforcement capabilities to tackle the threat posed by the unlawful possession and use of firearms, including firearms manufactured in full, or in part, using 3D printing technology. This includes the measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 which, when commenced, will make it an offence to possess or supply templates for the 3D printing of firearms.

Communities and Local Government, what impact assessment he has conducted on the implementation of local government reorganisation.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77631 on 13 October 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) residential and (b) commercial properties in the UK are owned by the Chinese state.

The Government does not control the purchase of private property within the United Kingdom, and keeps no central record of purchases made on behalf of individual nation states.

How much is received annually in rental income from the 782 properties purchased along the route of HS2.

In financial year 2024/25, a total of 1,723 properties were managed within the HS2 Managed Property Portfolio along the route of HS2 Phase 1 and the former Phase 2. This included residential, commercial, agricultural, forestry and wayleave interests, which collectively generated an annual rental income of £24 million. This income was fully used to offset the costs of managing properties acquired for HS2. Annual rental income naturally fluctuates as the proportion of tenanted properties changes over time.

When does she intend to launch the consultation on changes to firearms licensing.

We intend to publish this consultation shortly.

What assessment has he made of the standard of work completed by the Ajax Programme’s Joint Acceptance Group with regards to (a) assembly line output, (b) quality control and (c) level of remedial work required by receiving units.

As previously announced, there are ongoing reviews into the Ajax programme. An assessment will be made should the outcomes identify any concerns with the vehicle acceptance process.

How much have business rates increased for Hinchingbrooke Hospital for the 2026-2027 financial year .

The Government cannot comment on the bills of individual ratepayers. I recommend that Hinchingbrooke Hospital get in contact with their local authority for any questions regarding their business rates bill.

What assessment has he made of the potential benefit of utilising the Ares vehicle as a direct replacement for the FV430 series Mk3 Bulldog.

The Army routinely assess which vehicles are best aligned to support specific capabilities. The Ares platform has a higher protection level and is more suitable to be employed in the direct battle, rather than in the close support role normally associated with Bulldog. The long-term replacement for the FV430 series Bulldog is being considered as part of the Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme, within the Land Mobility Programme.

For what reason was the Short Service Limited Commission discontinued in 2007.

The Short Service Limited Commission had, by 2007, already been superseded by the Gap Year Commission. In mid‑2007, the Gap Year Commission was discontinued due to a shift in policy emphasis toward people programme measures judged to deliver wider recruitment and retention benefits. The scheme was later reintroduced in 2015 and was subsequently integrated into what is now the Army Internship Programme.

What assessment he has made of the legality of the US military operation to capture President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela.

The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by the Law Officers, or requested of the Law Officers, and the Convention applies to your question.The Law Officers’ Convention can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May:“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

What role has former CGS General Sir Peter Wall played in a) delivery of the Ajax Programme by General Dynamics and b) the decision of General Dynamics to declare Initial Operating Capability on 23 July 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 101921 on 7 January 2026. It would be inappropriate to comment on personnel from external organisations.

Pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026 to question 100522 on General Dynamics, how many exercises took place using Ajax-family vehicles between 23 July 2026 and 05 November 2026.

I believe that the hon. Member is referring to 2025 not 2026. Therefore, I can confirm that three exercises involving Ajax vehicles took place between 23 July 2025 and 5 November 2025.