Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether the first flight trial for Project Brakestop has taken place.

The first flight trial under Project BRAKESTOP took place in December 2025.

Whether (a) he or (b) any of his ministerial colleagues held discussions with representatives from Global Counsel regarding procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Ministerial meetings with external organisations and the purpose of these meetings are reported quarterly online on GOV.UK.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 1 (b), of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 Mat 2025, whether unrestricted ability to control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to fuels, weapons and hazardous materials, includes the (a) storage and (b) presence of nuclear weapons.

Having said the answer three times in the debate and subsequently in the chamber too, I am surprised the hon. Gentleman needs me to say this again but.I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in the House of Commons on 28 January, column 959. It is longstanding UK policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.

Whether he has authorised any reduction in reserve service days in the remainder of this financial year.

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.

Whether he has made any changes to the number of reservist service days an individual can conduct in the current financial year.

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.

What his planned timetable is for announcing the replacement for the Hawk jet trainer.

A plan to replace these aircraft will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. All elements of this work, including the aircraft replacement, are progressing together. All decisions on future procurements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether he has placed any restrictions on the number of reservist service days an individual can conduct in the current financial year.

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 100908 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, how many contracts have been placed.

Under Project BRAKESTOP, 11 contracts have been placed covering development and production of prototype effectors, a bespoke warhead, test ranges, and other ancillary services such as transportation and storage.

How much has been spent on the upkeep of HMS Albion since 20 November 2024.

The annual maintenance cost for HMS ALBION is circa £2 million per annum. This expenditure is to ensure that the ship remains safe whilst alongside HMNB Devonport on a tidal mooring. This ensures the ship remains compliant with environmental and safety legislation until disposal is complete. HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark were tied up by the last government with no intention to send them to sea again before their out of service dates in the 2030s.

Whether it remains his Department's policy to sell HMS Albion.

HMS ALBION is currently moored at HMNB Devonport and is being retained to support the generation of HMS BULWARK prior to her sale to Brazil. No plans for HMS ALBION’s disposal have been confirmed. HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark were tied up by the last government with no intention to send them to sea again before their out of service dates in the 2030s.

Whether there has been a delay to the announcement of the replacement for the Hawk jet trainer.

A plan to replace these aircraft will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. All elements of this work, including the aircraft replacement, are progressing together. All decisions on future procurements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

For what reason was the out of service date of Watchkeeper was extended beyond March 2025.

The Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System was due to be retired from service from March 2025 but will now remain in service until March 2027 to allow for the delivery of its replacement capability, Project CORVUS. The cost of keeping the Watchkeeper programme in service for the additional two-year period is currently anticipated to be £ 95,659,000.

What is the out of service date of HMS Iron Duke.

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish out-of-service dates for individual Royal Navy vessels. The precise out-of-service date will be determined through balancing operational requirements, maintenance schedules, and transition to modern and world leading capabilities introduced with the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates entering service.

Whether he received any advice from (a) Peter Mandelson or (b) Global Counsel on the decision to sign a £240,600,000 contract with Palantir.

Details of central Government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. The details published online include whether each contract was let through competitive tendering or via direct award.

What is the cost of extending the out of service date of Watchkeeper beyond March 2025.

The Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System was due to be retired from service from March 2025 but will now remain in service until March 2027 to allow for the delivery of its replacement capability, Project CORVUS. The cost of keeping the Watchkeeper programme in service for the additional two-year period is currently anticipated to be £ 95,659,000.

Whether any officials from his Department held discussions with Global Counsel regarding procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Defence officials discuss Armed Forces capabilities as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy and is focused on preserving sovereign capabilities which supports jobs and economic growth across the United Kingdom.

Whether Peter Mandelson was in attendance in any meetings held by his Department on procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

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.

Whether (a) he or (b) any of his Ministerial colleagues met with Peter Mandelson between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

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.

Whether any officials from his Department held discussions with Peter Mandelson regarding procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

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.

Whether (a) he and (b) any of his Ministerial colleagues held discussions with Peter Mandelson on the procurement of contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

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.