Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether the Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme has concluded.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

Whether he will present the findings from the Army investigation on the Ajax programme to Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).

With reference to page 27 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, what is the total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to his Department.

As of 25 March 2026, 83 Civil Servants from the UK Defence Exports team had transferred from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. The total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence is 94, and this transition was fully completed on 1st April 2026. This move marked the final step in the transition of full responsibility for the UK Defence Exports team from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, when the 20 uncrewed surface ordered will be in service with the armed forces.

As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.

With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, whether the review into the use of think tanks will be published before Parliament.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

How much of the £7 billion to be spent on military accommodation in this Parliament has been spent as of 25 March 2026.

In May 2025, the Secretary of State for Defence announced a funding package of £7 billion to spent on military accommodation throughout this Parliament, with an additional £1.5 billion investment in military housing as part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR 25) – which forms part of the £9 billion investment over the next decade. On 3 November 2025, the Defence Housing Strategy was published. It is the most significant change for Armed Forces housing in more than 50 years and kickstarts one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades – delivering new homes for military and civilian families and driving economic growth. As at 28 February 2026, £698.7 million of the £7 billion funding for military accommodation, has been spent. We are unable to provide a figure as of 25 March 2026 as requested, as Year End consolidation will not be complete until mid-April. However, a further £197.5 million was forecast to be spent between 1 March and the end of the 2025/26 financial year. Under the Defence Housing Strategy, nine in 10 Defence homes – more than 40,000 - will be modernised or upgraded, of which three in 10 – more than 10,000 - will be substantially refurbished or replaced, including through new build.

With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, who will lead the review into the use of think tanks.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, when the review into the use of think tanks will (a) begin and (b) conclude.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, whether he will publish a terms of reference for the review into the use of think tanks.

As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.

When he plans to respond to Question 98518 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

When he plans to respond to Question 112213 on Ministry of Defence: Procurement.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, who is leading the new Task Force that has been created.

Task Force Sabre, led by NAD Director General Options and Commissioning, was set up on the 18 March 2026. It has been created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. Task Force Sabre has mobilised and will continue to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states to ensure the rapid delivery of critical capabilities.

When he plans to respond to Question 112215 on Ministry of Defence: Procurement.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

When he plans to respond to Question 112391, tabled on 10 February 2026, on Ministry of Defence: Palantir.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK defence industry steps up support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks, published on 18 March 2026, if he will outline the role of the new Task Force created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry.

Task Force Sabre, led by NAD Director General Options and Commissioning, was set up on the 18 March 2026. It has been created to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment. Task Force Sabre has mobilised and will continue to work closely with industry partners and Gulf states to ensure the rapid delivery of critical capabilities.

Whether there has been a change in the number of usable training villages at the Global Hub Oman since 5 July 2024.

The facility continues to have three usable training villages.

When he plans to respond to Question 98517 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

When he plans to respond to Question 112216 on Ministry of Defence: Procurement.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

When he plans to respond to Question 112214 on Lord Mandelson.

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Joint statement from Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom on joint defence financing and procurement, published on 17 March 2026, if he will list the other partners referred to.

Last week the Chancellor announced that the UK is exploring a new defence mechanism for financing driving joint demand by 2027 with the Netherlands and Finland and other EU and NATO partners. We continue to work with likeminded allies who are interested in this model.