Written questions by Dewhirst.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 112826, on Global Counsel: Palantir, whether Global Counsel staff were in attendance at the meeting on 27 February 2025; and whether the office of the UK Defence Attache received communications from Global Counsel after that event.

Global Counsel staff were not present at the Prime Minister’s visit to Palantir on 27 February 2025. The UK Defence Attache has not corresponded or met representatives of Global Counsel since July 2024.The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 117764, on Opposition: Domestic Visits, whether the (a) MOD or (b) Armed Forces have guidance on this issue in relation to visits to military sites.

The Ministry of Defence is eager to facilitate more engagement with Parliamentarians, and we are proactively doing so given the importance of Defence within the national conversation. Defence Ministers are committed to ensuring the Department is being more transparent and engaged with MPs from all parties, supporting visits to sites across the UK to meet our brave Service men and women. Parliamentarians can seek approval to visit an establishment, including requests for media or photography in advance, and these are approved on a case-by-case basis noting security protocols and sensitivities. The most effective route remains to contact the Parliamentary Engagement Lead for the relevant Service in the first instance. Constituency MPs or MPs for immediately neighbouring constituencies may arrange visits directly with local establishments.

Pursuant of 17 March 2026, to Question 118785, on Palantir, for what reason no formal record of the meeting was produced.

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 112206, on Palantir: Contracts, whether communications were sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.

As the Secretary of State for Defence has previously set out, Lord Mandelson had no influence or involvement in the Defence Enterprise Agreement with Palantir. Based on the information held by the Ministry of Defence, the Department is not aware of any communications sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.

With reference to the answer of 1 September 2025 to Question HL9555 on Chagos Islands: Defence, what the percentage split is between the two Departments.

The payments split associated with the UK-Mauritius agreement on the Chagos Archipelago between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence will be published in the usual way alongside other Departmental spend in the annual accounts.

Whether the (a) National Museum of the Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force Museum, (c) Royal Marines Museum and (d) Royal Navy Submarine Museum accepted a free portrait of the King.

In 2023 the Government announced a new scheme to allow public authorities to apply for a free portrait of His Majesty to celebrate the new reign. The National Museum of the Royal Navy accepted a portrait for each of its sites which includes the Royal Marines Museum and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. The Royal Air Force Museum also accepted a portrait of His Majesty the King.

Who will (a) provide and (b) maintain nuclear weapons for use on the UK’s new F-35A aircraft.

As confirmed in June 2025 when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with our own nuclear weapons.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87342 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, whether there will be a public report on how the 5% NATO target is met.

The UK's performance against the NATO spending targets will continue to be reported directly to NATO in the usual way. There are no plans to change this long-standing process.

What the cost was of rebranding Strategic Command to Cyber and Specialist Operations Command.

The transition from UK Strategic Command (UKStratCom) to Cyber and Strategic Operations Command (CSOC) was executed with a strong emphasis on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Up-front CSOC visual identity changes have currently incurred no additional cost by utilising pre-approved Ministry of Defence branding. Most signage updates were completed at no additional expense through existing contracts, whilst specific Northwood Headquarters signage changes cost £5,245.50. Additionally, staff lanyards were procured for £1,075. The total expenditure to date of £6,320.50 reflects an investment that ensures the Command’s identity aligns with its mission to integrate cyber and electromagnetic capabilities, balanced against ensuring value for money.There is an expectation that some further branding may take place in Financial Year 2026-27, with a potential for a new logo and more signage changes, however these costs have not yet been scoped.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87342 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what his planned timetable is for deciding whether the Chagos Islands Treaty will be scored against the 5% NATO targets.

Decisions on the NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way, once the Treaty has entered into force.

Pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 75027 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, how much of the cost was spent on catering.

The total cost of catering on CSAT fights between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025 was £91,714.15.In Question 75027 which the hon. member refers to, the date range was incorrect. It should have stated 5 July 2024 to 4 July 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 75027 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, how many of the 44 tasks were (a) domestic and (b) overseas.

It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom. Information about official overseas Ministerial travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 71247 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, which Senior Ministers have been authorised to have occasional use of RAF CSAT aircraft.

The following Senior Ministers have been authorised to have occasional use of RAF CSAT aircraft: The Prime MinisterSecretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeChancellor of the Exchequer This is consistent with policies to CSAT travel from previous Governments.

What is his policy on members of the Armed Forces (a) being members of single-sex private members’ clubs in a personal capacity and (b) participating in such clubs in a professional capacity.

Defence does not hold a specific central policy on individual membership of single-sex private members’ clubs. Participation with external organisations in a professional capacity is subject to formal approval through the Chain of Command.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled New Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary announced, published on 31 October 2025, whether the outgoing Permanent Secretary will receive any (a) exit and (b) severance payment.

It is anticipated that any severance payments received, would be published in the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts for 2025 to 2026.

What the (a) name, (b) job title, (c) annual remuneration, (d) time commitment and (e) expected end date is for each direct ministerial appointment in his Department.

The Department has 41 direct Ministerial appointments, across seven entities. These are as follows:Defence Industrial Joint CouncilNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateDr Charles WoodburnChair£04 days (minimum)15/04/2026Dame Fiona Murray CMG CBEDeputy Chair£04 days (minimum)29/04/2026Michael OrdMember£04 days (minimum)29/04/2026Kevin CravenMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Kata Escott CBMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026David Lockwood OBEMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Gary SmithMember£04 days (minimum)05/06/2026Craig BeddisMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Ned BakerMember£04 days (minimum)01/06/2026Kerry BakerMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Joanne O'DohertyMember£04 days (minimum)01/06/2026Paul Livingston CBEMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Andrew KinniburghMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Nick SharpeMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Louis MosleyMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Mike ClancyMember£04 days (minimum)05/06/2026Steve WadeyMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Tufan ErginbilgicMember£04 days (minimum)01/06/2026Julian David OBEMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026Graham BoothMember£04 days (minimum)22/05/2026 Defence Investors Advisory GroupNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateKerry BaldwinCo-Chair£015 days31/03/2026Dame Sharron White DBECo-Chair£015 days31/03/2026Three members: names have been omitted due to commercial sensitivity.Member£09 days31/03/2026 Independent Inquiry relating to AfghanistanNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateThe Rt Hon Lord Justice Charles Haddon-CaveChair£256,000Full timeNo fixed date LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Independent PanelNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateLord Brian PaddickChair£86,250115 days02/02/2027Alison Brown MBEMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Francis Castle MBEMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Dr Matthew GouldMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Hannah Graf MBEMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Craig Jones MBEMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Caroline Paige MBEMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Dr Annabell Poate-JoinerMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027Emma RileyMember£57,500115 days14/05/2027 LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme Appeals BoardNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateDouglas Bosphore-Ward MBEChair£37,50050 days14/05/2027Judith HenryMember£25,00050 days14/05/2027Rachael RuxtonMember£25,00050 days14/05/2027Tracey MyhillMember£25,00050 days14/05/2027 Octric Semiconductors LtdNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateGraham LoveInterim Chair£120,000104 days13/09/2026 Strategic Advisor to the Secretary of State for DefenceNameJob titleAnnual remunerationTime commitment (per annum)Expected end dateProf Malcolm ChalmersAdviser£162,500260 days03/02/2027

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 66296 on Armed Forces: Conferences, if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) 6 February guidance and (b) previous edition of the guidance.

The MOD's policy for officials on contact with the media and communicating in public is available on gov.uk and has been in place for at least ten years: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-instruction-contact-with-media-and-public Copies of Defence Information Notices are not placed in the Library.

Whether the payment of armed forces pensions counts towards the 5% NATO defence spending target.

In line with the current NATO definition, spend on armed forces pensions is already included as part of core defence spending. This will continue to be the case against the 5% defence spending target.

With reference to the press release entitled Internship Scheme To Get More Working Class Students Into Civil Service, published on 1 August 2025, whether children of members of the armed forces will be able to apply for the Summer Internship Programme in his Department in 2026.

The Summer Internship Programme is a pan-Civil Service initiative designed to increase the representation of those from a working-class background into the Civil Service, and support opportunities to join the Fast Stream within this group. As such, it has a number of eligibility requirements, including socio-economic status. Children of Armed Forces personnel are subject to the same eligibility criteria as other applicants.

If he will make it his policy to repeal the assimilated EU law of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1816 in relation to the classification of controversial weapons under the (a) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and (b) UK Paris-aligned benchmarks to prevent divestment in (i) Trident renewal and (ii) sub-contractors who undertake Trident-related contracts.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the former Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Ms Reynolds) on 9 April 2025 to Questions 43043 and 43449 to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr Glen).