Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], if he will outline how the Agreement will ensure the long-term (a) secure and (b) effective operation of the military base on Diego Garcia.

The Treaty means that the UK will retain full operational control over Diego Garcia, and there are robust security provisions in place for the base and the rest of the Chagos Archipelago. Mauritius is committed to uphold the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base, and there is a binding obligation on them not to undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the base.

What his planned timetable is for publishing the Veterans' Strategy.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am leading work across Government and with Civil Society with a strategy that outlines our vision for these remarkable men and women and the outcomes we wish to achieve. Announcements will be made in due course.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], which representatives from (a) the UK and (b) Mauritius will decide on authorisations permitting the presence of (i) non-United Kingdom, (ii) non-United States or (iii) non-Mauritian security forces on the Base.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 June 2025, to Question 57307.Annex 1, Clause 3 does not apply to the base on Diego Garcia.

What steps he is taking to encourage service personnel to submit responses to the Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey.

The Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey 2025 was launched on 20 May 2025. It remains open for six weeks, closing on 1 July 2025. A comprehensive internal communications plan proactively encourages all Regular and Reserve Service personnel to take part. It has been designed to ensure a wide range of responses across the Armed Forces. The communications plan uses a phased approach: marking the launch, mid-way point, and one week to go. An agile approach is used to ensure communication can be adapted to ensure Defence achieves a broad range of responses.

When the latest Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey was launched.

The Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey 2025 was launched on 20 May 2025. It remains open for six weeks, closing on 1 July 2025. A comprehensive internal communications plan proactively encourages all Regular and Reserve Service personnel to take part. It has been designed to ensure a wide range of responses across the Armed Forces. The communications plan uses a phased approach: marking the launch, mid-way point, and one week to go. An agile approach is used to ensure communication can be adapted to ensure Defence achieves a broad range of responses.

With reference to Article 10, Clause 1 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], if he will estimate the cost of employing Mauritian nationals to be employed as contractors on the Base.

As set out in the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment, the Government of the United States shall bear the cost of developing, operating and maintaining the facility. Mauritian nationals who are employed as contractors in existing roles will not result in any additional costs to the UK or US.

What percentage of GDP will be spent on (a) NATO qualifying defence spend and (b) the MOD budget in financial year (i) 2025-26, (ii) 2026-27, (iii) 2027-28 and (iv) 2028-29.

The estimated percentage GDP figures are set out below: Financial Year2025-262026-272027-282028-29MOD budget (as set out in Spending Review 2025)2.08%2.11%2.20%2.20%Total Expected Defence Spending2.36%2.52%2.60%2.60% The future years defence spending figures are based on current OBR GDP. Under NATO guidance Government expenditure can be counted towards defence spending, provided it is specifically to meet the needs of its armed forces, those of Allies or of the Alliance.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar on defence.

Protecting the UK’s operational autonomy of the military facilities in Gibraltar has been a red line throughout negotiations of the UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar.The agreement reached on 11 June 2025 maintains full operational autonomy of the UK’s military facilities in Gibraltar, which play a vital role in protecting regional security and important trade routes - we would not have agreed to a deal which compromised our military facilities in Gibraltar.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US Government's decision to launch a review into the AUKUS partnership on jobs.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations. AUKUS holds bipartisan support in the United States, and we are engaging effectively with the US Administration at every level. The Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary regularly discuss AUKUS with their US and Australian counterparts and will continue to do so during the review process. It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK has done through the Lovegrove Review. The UK will continue to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations. AUKUS has already strengthened our collective defence industries, generating thousands of new jobs. In the UK, we expect over 21,000 people to be working on SSN-AUKUS programmes at its peak, both in UK shipyards and across the supply chain. The commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will only serve to enhance AUKUS. Continuous submarine production, through investments in Barrow and Raynesway, will enable us to produce a submarine every 18 months. This will allow us to grow our nuclear powered submarine fleet by up to 12 (SSNs), with a final decision made through the Defence Investment Plan. This will reinforce our Continuous at-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and position the UK to deliver the AUKUS programme with the US and Australia.

What discussions he has had with his (a) Australian and (b) United States counterpart on the US Government's decision to launch a review into the AUKUS partnership.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations. AUKUS holds bipartisan support in the United States, and we are engaging effectively with the US Administration at every level. The Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary regularly discuss AUKUS with their US and Australian counterparts and will continue to do so during the review process. It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK has done through the Lovegrove Review. The UK will continue to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations. AUKUS has already strengthened our collective defence industries, generating thousands of new jobs. In the UK, we expect over 21,000 people to be working on SSN-AUKUS programmes at its peak, both in UK shipyards and across the supply chain. The commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will only serve to enhance AUKUS. Continuous submarine production, through investments in Barrow and Raynesway, will enable us to produce a submarine every 18 months. This will allow us to grow our nuclear powered submarine fleet by up to 12 (SSNs), with a final decision made through the Defence Investment Plan. This will reinforce our Continuous at-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and position the UK to deliver the AUKUS programme with the US and Australia.

With reference to the Strategic Defence Review - Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, updated on 11 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the merits of the US Government's decision to launch a review of the AUKUS partnership.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations. AUKUS holds bipartisan support in the United States, and we are engaging effectively with the US Administration at every level. The Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary regularly discuss AUKUS with their US and Australian counterparts and will continue to do so during the review process. It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK has done through the Lovegrove Review. The UK will continue to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations. AUKUS has already strengthened our collective defence industries, generating thousands of new jobs. In the UK, we expect over 21,000 people to be working on SSN-AUKUS programmes at its peak, both in UK shipyards and across the supply chain. The commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will only serve to enhance AUKUS. Continuous submarine production, through investments in Barrow and Raynesway, will enable us to produce a submarine every 18 months. This will allow us to grow our nuclear powered submarine fleet by up to 12 (SSNs), with a final decision made through the Defence Investment Plan. This will reinforce our Continuous at-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and position the UK to deliver the AUKUS programme with the US and Australia.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US Government's decision to launch a review into the AUKUS partnership on the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations. AUKUS holds bipartisan support in the United States, and we are engaging effectively with the US Administration at every level. The Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary regularly discuss AUKUS with their US and Australian counterparts and will continue to do so during the review process. It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK has done through the Lovegrove Review. The UK will continue to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations. AUKUS has already strengthened our collective defence industries, generating thousands of new jobs. In the UK, we expect over 21,000 people to be working on SSN-AUKUS programmes at its peak, both in UK shipyards and across the supply chain. The commitments made in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will only serve to enhance AUKUS. Continuous submarine production, through investments in Barrow and Raynesway, will enable us to produce a submarine every 18 months. This will allow us to grow our nuclear powered submarine fleet by up to 12 (SSNs), with a final decision made through the Defence Investment Plan. This will reinforce our Continuous at-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and position the UK to deliver the AUKUS programme with the US and Australia.

Whether his Department's messenger service routinely keeps records of when departmental hard copy (a) documents and (b) publications were sent to (i) parliamentarians and (ii) external stakeholders.

The Department’s messenger service does not hold specific records of what is delivered and to whom.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 5, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what the areas of assistance agreed to provide Mauritius to (a) monitor, (b) detect and (c) adjudicate security risks and conduct Security Reviews were.

As set out in the new UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework, Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. This includes the UK working with Mauritius to improve maritime surveillance, the tracking of suspicious vessels and data sharing. Further engagement on the details of this cooperation with Mauritius is ongoing.Decisions on the areas of assistance required for Mauritius to adjudicate security risks and conduct Security Reviews will be made as part of the current implementation process.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 7, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], which activities his Department considers risk conflicting with the obligations in Article 3(2)(b).

As set out in Annex 1, Clause 7 of the Treaty, the UK holds the right to notify Mauritius about any activity that is seen as potentially undermining, prejudicing or otherwise interfering with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia. Mauritius would then commence a Security Review in respect of these activities . This means that the UK will have an effective veto over any activity that presents a clear and direct threat to the base on Diego Garcia. There is no limit to the scope of activities considered under this condition.

With reference to Annex 3, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], when the Joint Commission will first meet.

The date of the first meeting of the Joint Commission has not been set. Once the Treaty enters into force, the Joint Commission shall meet at least twice a year or more frequently on the request of either the UK or Mauritius.

With reference to Annex 3, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], who will sit on the Joint Commission as representatives of the UK.

As Annex 3 of the Treaty states, the UK delegation to the Joint Commission will consist of one senior representative (as co-chair with Mauritius) and four additional representatives. Decisions on who will represent the UK side will be made in due course.

How many (a) ships and (b) submarines are currently (i) in-build and (ii) on order.

There are currently eight ships in build, with a further eight on order. These include the next-generation Type 31 General Purpose Frigates, Type 26 Anti-Submarine Frigates, and the Fleet Solid Support ships, to be crewed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. There are currently five submarines in build, and one on order. This includes the Dreadnought class, the replacement for the Royal Navy’s current Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines, and Astute-Class attack submarines. The above figures do not include programmes that are in development but not yet contracted for, such as SSN-AUKUS submarines, Multi Role Strike Ships and the Type 83 Air Defence Destroyer. These ships and submarines, together with other capabilities, are a vital part of achieving the new hybrid navy as outlined recently in the Strategic Defence Review.

With reference to Annex 3, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], whether an official from his Department will sit on the Joint Commission.

As Annex 3 of the Treaty states, the UK delegation to the Joint Commission will consist of one senior representative (as co-chair with Mauritius) and four additional representatives. Decisions on who will represent the UK side will be made in due course.

Whether (a) he, (b) his then political advisor and (c) any other person employed in his parliamentary office received a hard copy of the MOD policy paper entitled, Defence Command Paper 2023: defence's response to a more contested and volatile world, published on 18 July 2023, on the morning of 18 July 2023.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Point of Order raised by my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary (John Healey) on 23 June 2025 (Official Report, column 903).