Every parliamentary written question tabled by Grahame Morris this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–39 of 39 · Ministry of Defence
What the operational (a) status and (b) readiness is of each Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary continues to meet its commitments in supporting the Royal Navy worldwide, including the Carrier Strike Groups current global deployment. The Royal Navy does not routinely disclose readiness data for individual vessels due to Operational Security.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Strategic Defence Review on the (a) budget and (b) headcount of the (i) UK Hydrographic Office and (ii) National Shipbuilding Office.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorses the Review's vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The potential impact of the SDR on the budget and headcount of the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is that, as an arm's length body and trading fund, the SDR has no significant impact on existing UKHO budget and headcount that have not been accounted for within the corporate planning process.The potential impact of the SDR on the budget and headcount of the National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) is yet to be determined. The NSO continues to be this Government's driver for shipbuilding activity both on Government shipbuilding programmes and across the commercial and civil sector. We will be in a better position to understand this once work on the Defence Investment Plan completes later this year.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the transfer of Stirling Castle from the Royal Fleet Auxillary to the Royal Navy on the operational capacity of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The transfer of Stirling Castle from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to the Royal Navy allows the RFA to direct its resources to crew and maintain other vessels in its inventory, optimising readiness to support Defence’s outputs.
What the (a) cost and (b) duration are for the contract between his Department and Serco Marine Services for the support vessels (i) SD Victoria and (ii) SD Northern River.
SD Victoria and SD Northern River currently operate under the Serco Continued Procurement of Marine Services contract which expires on 30 September 2025. From 1 October 2025, the two vessels will operate the under the Serco Defence Marine Service Offshore to Military Training Contract. This contract was awarded on the 14 May 2025 following a competitive procurement process. The Contract has a duration of 10 years and a cost of £94 million.The Ministry of Defence has no live maritime service contracts with subsidiaries of Serco.
If he will list all live maritime service contracts his Department has with subsidiaries of Serco Limited.
SD Victoria and SD Northern River currently operate under the Serco Continued Procurement of Marine Services contract which expires on 30 September 2025. From 1 October 2025, the two vessels will operate the under the Serco Defence Marine Service Offshore to Military Training Contract. This contract was awarded on the 14 May 2025 following a competitive procurement process. The Contract has a duration of 10 years and a cost of £94 million.The Ministry of Defence has no live maritime service contracts with subsidiaries of Serco.
What the total operating cost was of the British overseas military base in Qatar in the 2024-25 financial year.
The Ministry of Defence does not have a British Overseas Base in Qatar but we do have forces hosted on the Qatari owned, US-operated Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha. Indicative operating costs for being based at Al Udeid airbase in financial year 2024-25 are in the region of £3.7 million. The exact cost will be finalised after the publication of the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25.
How many merchant seafarers were employed on vessels chartered by the UK Hydrographic Office in each year since 2015-16.
YearMerchant seafarers employed on vessels chartered by the UK Hydrographic Office2015-161 for 66 days2016-1702017-181 for 20 days2018-1902019-2002021-2202022-232 for 28 days2023/2402024-250
How much and what proportion of the UK Hydrographic Office's annual budget was spent on chartering commercial ships in each of the last 10 years.
YearCost (£)Proportion of UK Hydographic Office budget spent on chartering commercial ships (%)2015-16257170.042016-17348390.052017-18441170.082018-19002019-20002021-22002022-23521040.072023-24002024-2500
What recent discussions he has had with (a) trade unions and (b) Foreland Shipping on his Department’s contract for strategic sealift services.
The Ministry of Defence has frequent discussions with Foreland Shipping Limited (FSL) on the delivery of the contracted service, in accordance with the contract terms, conditions and obligations of the Interim Strategic Sealift Contract.
If he will list the charter agreements between his Department and shipowners that were signed in each year since 2000-01.
It is taking time to collate and review the required information. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
If he will list his Department’s existing contracts with (a) service, (b) vessel and (c) civilian crew providers in the maritime sector.
This information is not held in the format requested.
If he will publish his Department's contract with Foreland Shipping Limited for strategic sealift services.
The Interim Strategic Sealift Contract DSCOM/CB/2255 was published on Contracts Finder on 11 December 2024. Please see link below to publication: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfa45e46-6b5e-4bfc-8fb4-3c5737e9db2e
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of pay and conditions for merchant seafarers on Point-Class Ro-Ro vessels operated by Foreland Shipping under contract with his Department.
The long-term nature of this contract guarantees stable employment for workers across the nation. The contract was awarded and is governed by the laws of England including all relevant employment legislation. The investment reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting jobs, driving economic growth, and safeguarding the UK’s national security.
If he will support direct employment of UK resident seafarers in his Department's (a) service contract and (b) vessel charter agreements with private shipowners.
It is taking time to collate and review the required information. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
What discussions he has had with the National Shipbuilding Office on the procurement of strategic sealift capacity for operational use after the expiry of the current contract with Foreland Shipping Limited in December 2031.
No decisions have been made on Strategic Sealift. The project team are developing the strategic outline case, and the National Shipbuilding Office is engaged with the relevant parties in this process.
What information his Department holds on career progression for non-UK personnel by nationality.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 March 2025 to Question 35903 to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr Jogee).
What the non-standard occupation groups in his Department are.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Non-Standard Occupational Groups (NSOG) are groups of staff for whom some aspects of their terms and conditions of service are different from the MOD broader-banded grade structure as aligned to civil service standard grades i.e. the core civilian workforce in Defence. NSOG groups are distinguished because they have an analogue link to an outside counterpart and their pay and other terms and conditions of service are either directly linked or influenced by their outside public sector comparator grade. The MOD has five main NSOG groups: Ministry of Defence PoliceMOD clinical grades - NHS Agenda for Change grades, NHS Civilian Consultants, Civilian Medical Practitioner (doctors), Civilian Dental Practitioners (dentists)Defence Fire Rescue Service gradesTeaching/educational gradesYouth and Community grades
If he will take steps to establish a public inquiry on the effects of nuclear testing between 1952 and 1967 on veterans.
The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK Nuclear testing programme. Almost 5,000 Nuclear Test Medals have now been issued to recognise the service of those who worked on the programme, along with other activity including a Government-funded oral history project. The Defence Secretary has, as a priority, asked officials to review the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal and this work is underway. I have met with representatives of the nuclear test veteran community and am committed to continuing that engagement to consider the concerns raised, including looking into questions raised on medical records.
If he will return blood and diagnostics tests taken after detonation to UK nuclear test veterans.
I have met with representatives of the nuclear test veteran community and am committed to continuing that engagement to consider the concerns raised, including looking into questions raised on medical records. Nuclear test veterans can request access to their personal information held by the Ministry of Defence about their time in the military, including Service and Medical records. To do so they need to submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).