Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January to Question 104836 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98518 tabled on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

With reference to Recommendation 57 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether the sprint review of system-wide capacity of the MOD and DHSC has begun or concluded.

There is ongoing work between Ministry of Defence (MOD), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS to review system-wide capacity and shape and plan the UK’s approach to respond collectively as health services to meet the demands of warfighting. The latest in a series of workshops involving MOD, DHSC and UK health services, was hosted by NHS England in February 2026 focused on the role of the NHS in major conflict, including the potential clinical challenge to health services of modern conflict and how UK health services work collectively to respond to the challenge of conflict at scale. The Strategic Defence Review recommendations and the creation of integrated crisis plans will continue to be progressed as part of the ongoing engagement between the MOD, DHSC and the NHS. Further, the work with allies through the NATO Medical Action Plan is addressing priority challenges in workforce; mass casualty planning; patient evacuation; and medical logistics. We will look to address legislative and regulatory barriers to effective care.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104835 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98517 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104516 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98514 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104515 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98512 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104517 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98515 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104518 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98516 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Whether he has had discussions with EU representatives on whether the second round of the EU SAFE fund has closed for applications.

UK negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument concluded last year. The UK entered negotiations in good faith, recognising our mutual strategic interest and commitment to work with the EU on defence. However, this Government has always been clear that we will only sign agreements that are in the national interest. The UK’s defence industry continues to have access to SAFE under standard third country terms with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union and the Member States on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.

How many UK service personnel have been stationed at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the last 10 financial years in a (a) permanent and (b) temporary capacity.

Data regarding permanent Service personnel stationed at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) can be found below. Number of UK Regular Armed Forces Service Personnel Stationed at BATUS, Suffield, Canada 2016 - 2025 Year2015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25Regulars2102502402602202101701106040

Whether any spending commitments for his Department will not be included in the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will provide a comprehensive overview of the Department’s forward investment priorities across equipment, infrastructure, people, and supporting capabilities. It will be published shortly.

Whether his Department has ever conducted a conflict-of-interest assessment of Peter Mandelson.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

What quantity of military equipment he estimates will be used at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the remaining years of the current Parliament.

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS). Equipment levels remain under regular assessment to support required training outputs.

Whether he plans to use the Land Regional Hub Germany for the testing of uncrewed systems in this Parliament.

The Land Regional Hub in Germany is a vital asset for the British Army, providing a forward-deployed presence to support NATO's collective defence and enabling rapid responses to potential threats in Europe. It serves as a key logistics and operational hub, supporting training, exercises, and deployments, while fostering interoperability with allied forces. The Hub is actively utilised for multinational training and exercises, and its role in enhancing readiness and collaboration with European partners remains a priority. Future use of the Hub will continue to align with the UK's defence commitments and NATO objectives. Exercises at the Land Regional Hub Germany are recorded by calendar year rather than financial year. In line with the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Army continues to adapt its training programme to support NATO requirements, enhance land forces competency, and deliver wider defence engagement. For calendar year 2026, 14 exercises are currently planned. These activities are designed to be larger in scale and longer in duration, reflecting our focus on more complex and demanding training to meet NATO’s evolving needs. Exercise plans are kept under regular review to ensure they remain aligned with Defence priorities. Planning for 2027 is ongoing and final exercise numbers are yet to be confirmed. Uncrewed systems will be utilised in exercises as part of routine Army Training. The Ministry of Defence does not hold centralised records for the overall operating costs of the Land Regional Hub Germany (LRH(G)), as it is comprised of multiple component sites and functions, each managed by different organisations within Defence. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a consolidated figure for the operating costs of the Land Regional Hub in Germany for this financial year or future years of this Parliament.

What the cost to his Department is of running Land Regional Hub Germany for (a) this financial year and (b) each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

The Land Regional Hub in Germany is a vital asset for the British Army, providing a forward-deployed presence to support NATO's collective defence and enabling rapid responses to potential threats in Europe. It serves as a key logistics and operational hub, supporting training, exercises, and deployments, while fostering interoperability with allied forces. The Hub is actively utilised for multinational training and exercises, and its role in enhancing readiness and collaboration with European partners remains a priority. Future use of the Hub will continue to align with the UK's defence commitments and NATO objectives. Exercises at the Land Regional Hub Germany are recorded by calendar year rather than financial year. In line with the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Army continues to adapt its training programme to support NATO requirements, enhance land forces competency, and deliver wider defence engagement. For calendar year 2026, 14 exercises are currently planned. These activities are designed to be larger in scale and longer in duration, reflecting our focus on more complex and demanding training to meet NATO’s evolving needs. Exercise plans are kept under regular review to ensure they remain aligned with Defence priorities. Planning for 2027 is ongoing and final exercise numbers are yet to be confirmed. Uncrewed systems will be utilised in exercises as part of routine Army Training. The Ministry of Defence does not hold centralised records for the overall operating costs of the Land Regional Hub Germany (LRH(G)), as it is comprised of multiple component sites and functions, each managed by different organisations within Defence. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a consolidated figure for the operating costs of the Land Regional Hub in Germany for this financial year or future years of this Parliament.

If he will list the military equipment currently stationed at the British Army Training Unit Suffield.

The Army continually reviews equipment allocations to ensure training needs are met. For operational security reasons, we do not release details of equipment holdings, changes in quantities, or future allocations at specific locations, including the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS). Equipment levels remain under regular assessment to support required training outputs.

Whether the Army is utilising the Land Regional Hub Germany.

The Land Regional Hub in Germany is a vital asset for the British Army, providing a forward-deployed presence to support NATO's collective defence and enabling rapid responses to potential threats in Europe. It serves as a key logistics and operational hub, supporting training, exercises, and deployments, while fostering interoperability with allied forces. The Hub is actively utilised for multinational training and exercises, and its role in enhancing readiness and collaboration with European partners remains a priority. Future use of the Hub will continue to align with the UK's defence commitments and NATO objectives. Exercises at the Land Regional Hub Germany are recorded by calendar year rather than financial year. In line with the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Army continues to adapt its training programme to support NATO requirements, enhance land forces competency, and deliver wider defence engagement. For calendar year 2026, 14 exercises are currently planned. These activities are designed to be larger in scale and longer in duration, reflecting our focus on more complex and demanding training to meet NATO’s evolving needs. Exercise plans are kept under regular review to ensure they remain aligned with Defence priorities. Planning for 2027 is ongoing and final exercise numbers are yet to be confirmed. Uncrewed systems will be utilised in exercises as part of routine Army Training. The Ministry of Defence does not hold centralised records for the overall operating costs of the Land Regional Hub Germany (LRH(G)), as it is comprised of multiple component sites and functions, each managed by different organisations within Defence. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a consolidated figure for the operating costs of the Land Regional Hub in Germany for this financial year or future years of this Parliament.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Royal Navy's operating capability under ice.

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

What under ice capabilities are in service with the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under‑ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018. It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.

How many UK service personnel are permanently stationed at the British Army Training Unit Suffield.

As at October 2025 (latest figures available), the numbers of service personnel currently stationed at British Army Training Unit Suffield are below: Number of UK Regular1 Armed Forces Service Personnel Stationed2 at BATUS3, Suffield, Canada as at 1 October 25 YearOctober-2025Regulars30 NotesUK Regulars comprise full time service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, Gurkhas, Mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS), High Readiness Reserve (HRR) and Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) personnel. Includes trained and untrained personnel. The figures are based on Service personnel's stationed location and not their location of residence - where personnel work isn't necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location. The Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel on sea service are included against the local authority containing the home port of their ship.BATUS has been derived from the Location Units CANADA - ALBERTA - SUFFIELD and SUFFIELD (BATUS) from the Location Unit field in Joint Personnel Administration (JPA). Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent inadvertent disclosure. However, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

How many training villages are active on the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area.

There are no active training villages on the British Army Training Unit Suffield Training Area. There were also none in use on 5 July 2024. Please see the table below, which confirms how many live firing exercises have taken place at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the previous 10 financial years. YearLive Firing Exercises2016320174201832019320200202102022220230202402025020260