Written questions by Cartlidge.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his decision to retire (a) Chinook heavy transporter helicopters and (b) Puma helicopters on tender scoring for the New Medium Helicopter programme.

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed. The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated. The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024, Official Report, columns 287-289, how many platforms his Department intends to procure through the New Medium Helicopter programme, in the context of his decision to decommission 17 Puma helicopters.

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed. The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated. The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

What his Department's planned timetable is for announcing the award for the New Medium Helicopter contract.

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed. The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated. The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the operational lifespan of the Lockheed Martin UH-60 Black Hawk.

The Department has not assessed the potential merits of extending the operational lifespan of the Lockheed Martin UH-60 Black Hawk as the Department does not own any.

Whether his Department plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competitive tender.

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The decision to retire the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters and remaining Puma helicopters has no impact on the New Medium Helicopter procurement process. The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed. The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated. The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not dependent on reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on Defence spending.

Whether his Department has revoked the Chief of Defence staff’s pre-release access to his Department’s Departmental resources and statistical bulletin-M.

Pre-release access for Official Statistics are restricted to eligible personnel and regularly reviewed. This is in line with our responsibility under the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order (2008) and the Code of Practice for Statistics. In line with the order, these lists must be:Limited to those required to draft, make statements, or take action shortly after the time of publication.Restricted to a minimum number of recipients to maintain public trust. The MOD Regional Expenditure with UK Industry and Supported Employment (last released 3rd August 2023) has now been rearranged into two statistical releases:the MOD Regional Expenditure statistic,the UK Industry and Supported Employment statistic.In the routine review of access for these statistics the Chief of Defence Staff was omitted from the new pre-release access lists and has been re-added. The Chief of the Defence Staff has full access to comprehensive data on MOD programmes and finances, including that which is not published as part of statistical releases.

For what reason his Department has removed the Chief of the Defence Staff from the Department’s Finance and Economics pre-release access lists, other than the Departmental resources and Statistical Bulletin-MOD Regional Expenditure with UK Industry and Supported Employment releases.

Pre-release access for Official Statistics are restricted to eligible personnel and regularly reviewed. This is in line with our responsibility under the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order (2008) and the Code of Practice for Statistics. In line with the order, these lists must be:Limited to those required to draft, make statements, or take action shortly after the time of publication.Restricted to a minimum number of recipients to maintain public trust. The MOD Regional Expenditure with UK Industry and Supported Employment (last released 3rd August 2023) has now been rearranged into two statistical releases:the MOD Regional Expenditure statistic,the UK Industry and Supported Employment statistic.In the routine review of access for these statistics the Chief of Defence Staff was omitted from the new pre-release access lists and has been re-added. The Chief of the Defence Staff has full access to comprehensive data on MOD programmes and finances, including that which is not published as part of statistical releases.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his decision to retire HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion on the operational capability of the Royal Marines.

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally. Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. On current planning, neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034. The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary)s and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and acts as a hospital ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

What estimate he has made of the cost of the commercial service to bridge the availability gap for rotary capability in (a) Brunei and (b) Cyprus.

The Ministry of Defence signed a £122 million contract in 2024 to purchase six H-145 aircraft. These aircraft will replace the aging Puma aircraft to fulfil key capabilities in Cyprus and Brunei. A range of options are being explored to fill the capability gaps in the interim period before the arrival of H-145.

What estimate he has made of the cost of repairing the structural damage to HMS Devonshire.

There is no ship of the name HMS Devonshire currently in service with the Royal Navy.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report, columns 287-289, whether he plans to extend the retention bonuses for aircraft engineers to non-aircraft engineers.

The single-Services each pay targeted retention payments where they are most needed, and where they provide the most efficient use of tax-payers money. As part of the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, eligible Tri-service aircraft engineers will be given £30,000 when they sign up for additional three years’ of service. From April 2025, this will be applicable to around 5,000 personnel in total.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report, columns 287-289, whether retention bonuses for Army personnel will be made available to the (a) Royal Navy and (b) RAF.

The Ministry of Defence pay retention payments in a variety of ways depending on the needs of the single-Services. Retention payments for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are targeted where they are most needed, and where they make the most efficient use of tax-payers money. From January 2025, a new £8,000 retention payment will be awarded to eligible regular Privates and Lance Corporals who have served four years. The payment targets Army Personnel as they enter a critical part of their career, with 12,000 personnel expected to benefit over the next three years.

What proportion of the cost of running the UK-US military base in Diego Garcia was covered by the United States in financial year 2023-24.

It is not possible to determine relative proportions of the running cost of the base in Diego Garcia. The United States is responsible for any costs it incurs, while the UK remains responsible for the cost of the UK element of the base only.

What the cost to the public purse was of running the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia in financial year 2023-24.

The direct cost to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for running the UK element of the UK-US military base in the British Indian Ocean Territory in financial year 2023-24 was £3.8 million. This excludes minor costs incurred directly by, for example, visiting units or HQ elements in the UK. Any costs incurred by other Government Departments cannot be provided by the MOD.

Whether his Department will receive additional funding to cover any additional costs arising from the Chagos Island settlement.

Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government. The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

With reference to his answer to Urgent Question on 11 November 2024 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, when he first became aware of the costs to be borne by his Department arising from the agreement with Mauritius on sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government. The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

On what date he agreed his Department’s contribution to the Chagos Island settlement.

Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government. The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Whether he categorises the National Armaments Director role as a (a) civil servant or (b) military appointment.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) role will be a civil servant appointment. Private office arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

How many staff members will be employed in the National Armament Director’s private office.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) role will be a civil servant appointment. Private office arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

Where he plans to locate the private office of the National Armaments Director.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) role will be a civil servant appointment. Private office arrangements are yet to be confirmed.