Written questions by Cartlidge.

Why the publication of the latest Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics has been delayed.

The publication of UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics for 1 Jan 2026 has been delayed due to technical issues affecting data quality and has a release date of 2 April 2026. This is stated in the Statistics release calendar: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics: 1 January 2026 - Accredited official statistics announcement - GOV.UK

Whether the Cyprus Government has made representations to his Department on the sovereignty of UK military bases since 1 March 2026.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has not made any representations to the Ministry of Defence on the sovereignty of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia since 1 March 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 115531 on Defence: Finance, whether (a) his Department or (b) other Government Departments identified where 0.47% of GDP spent not included in the table will come from.

The Ministry of Defence compiles and submits the return to NATO setting out the UK's core qualifying defence spend. As the return to NATO reflects the UK's position, its contents represent the agreed position across Government, involving other Departments as necessary.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March to Question 115855, whether there has been more than one version of the Defence Investment Plan.

We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, whether the 0.47% of GDP spent not included in the table will be outlined in a formal Government document.

The UK's performance against the NATO spending targets will continue to be reported directly to NATO in the usual way. There are no plans to change this long-standing process.

When was the Chief of the Defence Staff first notified on the availability of a Type 45 Destroyer to deploy to Cyprus.

We constantly review deployments of Royal Navy assets in line with securing the interests of the UK and our allies. As the Chief of the Defence Staff said on the BBC on Saturday 7 March, he looked at the proposals for HMS Dragon being deployed to the Middle East on Tuesday 3 March, and the Defence Secretary signed them off immediately the same day. Since January we have moved significant military assets into the region, ahead of the first US-Israeli strikes, including radar systems, air defence, and F-35 jets. Those preparations made a real difference and mean that we have conducted defensive military operations from day one.

Whether he has authorised any changes to the deployment of British service personnel in the High North since 28 February 2026.

We do not comment on specific deployments for reasons of safeguarding operational security.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 115508 on Strategic Defence Review, how many workshops have taken place involving MOD, DHSC and UK health services as of 10 March 2026.

Between February 2025 and 10 March 2026, there have been four multi-day workshops involving the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health and Social Care and UK health services to explore the UK’s ability to deal with casualties across a range of scenarios up to and including warfighting.

Whether he had discussions with the Chief of the Defence Staff on deploying a Type 45 Destroyer to Cyprus prior to 3 March 2026.

We constantly review deployments of Royal Navy assets in line with securing the interests of the UK and our allies. As the Chief of the Defence Staff said on the BBC on Saturday 7 March, he looked at the proposals for HMS Dragon being deployed to the Middle East on Tuesday 3 March, and the Defence Secretary signed them off immediately the same day. Since January we have moved significant military assets into the region, ahead of the first US-Israeli strikes, including radar systems, air defence, and F-35 jets. Those preparations made a real difference and mean that we have conducted defensive military operations from day one.

Whether he plans to deploy service personnel to the Middle East in a peacekeeping capacity.

We will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment for reasons of operational security.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March to Question 116530 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases, if he will list all treaties his Department has assessed that Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling.

I know the hon. Gentleman will recall that the previous Government began the negotiations on BIOT and held rounds of negotiations. He may perhaps also recall the rationale given by Ministers then. It is important that the UK Government is able to take legal advice in confidence. It would also not be prudent to set out all the possible litigation options for another State against the UK. We have already set out some possible routes to a legally binding judgment, and these have been discussed at length including in expert evidence given to the International Agreements Committee in June 2025.

Whether he plans to deploy RFA Lyme Bay to the Middle East.

RFA Lyme Bay has departed Gibraltar in order to assist in maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean if necessary.

If he will provide a list of the deployments issued by his Department to the Middle East since 1 January 2026, and the date they were issued.

As per the Defence Secretary’s recent oral statement, our Armed Forces are working 24/7 to protect British lives and British interests in the region, and to support our regional partners. Deployments include air defence teams in Cyprus; counter-drone specialists in Iraq; and fast jet pilots in Qatar. We do not publicly comment on exact details around operational deployments, as it would harm the capability, security and operational effectiveness of UK forces.

Whether a security breach has occurred in any British facilities in Ukraine in the last seven days.

The Ministry of Defence takes the security of its personnel, facilities, and operations in Ukraine extremely seriously. We do not comment on specific security matters or incidents, as doing so could compromise operational security and the safety of our personnel.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) his Cypriot counterpart and (b) any Cypriot Government official on the sovereignty of UK military bases on Cyprus.

Our relationship with the Republic of Cyprus has never been closer. During the Defence Secretary’s visit to the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) on 5 March, he met with Defence Minister Palmas and the Head of the Cypriot National Guard. The Defence Secretary has not held discussions with Defence Minister Palmas or other Cypriot Government officials specifically on the sovereignty of the Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus. The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are fully sovereign UK territory, established under the 1960 Treaty of Establishment.

What precautions are in place to avoid security breaches originating from his Department's social media channels.

The Ministry of Defence manages its official social media channels under strict Governance and security policies, supported by mandatory training, active monitoring and established incident response processes.

Whether he has authorised a change to the state of readiness of HMS Prince of Wales.

It is the Department’s policy to not disclose the readiness state of individual ships as this would, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and/or security of the Armed Forces.

How many Lightweight Multirole Missiles his Department has ordered since 5 July 2024.

I am withholding this information for reasons of safeguarding operational security.

What is HMS Ansons' scheduled departure from Australia.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the tasks or plans for individual submarines for reasons of national security.

How many Sea Viper missiles his Department has ordered since 5 July 2024.

I am withholding this information for reasons of safeguarding operational security.