Written questions by Cartlidge.

What estimate he has made of the potential impact of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, on the level of contributions from the United States for the costs of running the military base on Diego Garcia.

The US continues to pay for the operating and maintenance costs of the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia. Our initial assessment is that the UK/Mauritius Agreement is unlikely to have any significant impact, in the short-term, on the operating and maintenance costs of the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia.

Whether he has authorised any changes to the proposed timetable for the delivery of the multi-role strike ship since 5 July 2024.

The Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS) programme is in the Concept Phase. It is funded from the Defence budget to enable the Royal Navy and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to conduct detailed preparatory work with intent to deliver first of class in 2033. The Programme will submit an Outline Business Case in late 2025 and is working closely with the UK shipbuilding industry and the National Shipbuilding Office to deliver best value for money for the Navy and the Nation.

With reference to recommendation 5 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when he plans to launch a tender to deliver the Digital Targeting Web.

The Digital Targeting Web is not a single piece of equipment or software with a single supplier, but an ecosystem that will bring together the current disparate multitude of targeting systems and software into a secure and efficiently connected, cross-classification, capability that will enable warfighting at pace and scale across all 5 operational domains on the Digital Backbone. It will easily enable the introduction of emerging and novel technology, improve data-standardisation to enable better data and information sharing so that Defence has a much-improved ability to understand and shape the battlespace. Through the automation of processes, and the more timely provision of targeting data to weapon systems, the DTW will ensure the end-to-end targeting cycle is accelerated to better support commanders and provide UK Defence with a warfighting advantage over our adversaries. There will be no ‘single supplier’ nor tender to deliver the Digital Targeting Web, but a series of accelerators will be spun up to achieve the DTW. The first industry day has been set up for 18 July 2025 where industry can find out more about the approach and potential opportunities.

With reference to Article 10, Clause 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, whether the annual sum referred to will come solely from his Department's budget.

The funding arrangements for the treaty are subject to the Spending Review, which will be completed on 11 June.

With reference to Article 11, Clause 1 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what the annual sum paid to Mauritius is in cash terms.

The schedule of payments is set out in the finance exchange of letters that was published alongside the treaty. The estimated average annual payment value is £101 million over the initial 99-year period of the treaty. This has been calculated using the standard formula set out in the Green Book that the government uses for all long-term projects. These calculations have been agreed by the Government Actuary’s Department. The full details are in the Explanatory Memorandum laid alongside the Treaty.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, for what reason Mauritius requires advanced notice of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], for what reason Mauritius requires notification of (a) maintenance and (b) upgrades to UK equipment on the base.

As stated in Annex 1, paragraph 1 of the Treaty, the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to authorise the installation, operation, and repair of new and existing systems on Diego Garcia, without the need to give notification. In respect of the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, Annex 1, paragraph 3 states that the UK shall have rights of access to maintain and upgrade equipment after notification to Mauritius. There is no requirement to seek permission in either scenario. With the robust security provisions negotiated under this agreement, the UK maintains full operational control of the military base on Diego Garcia.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], whether any States, excluding the United States of America, will operate alongside the UK on the Diego Garcia military base.

Annex 1, paragraph 1 of the Treaty confirms that the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to control the deployment of any military, civilian and contract personnel to Diego Garcia. Annex 1, paragraph 3 of the Treaty states that for the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, states operating with the UK and US will also have unrestricted rights, save for overflight or undersea access which require prior notification to Mauritius. We will overall retain the ability to collaborate with our allies through the base on Diego Garcia.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, whether Mauritius will be required to confirm receipt of advanced notice of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. As any notification of an armed attack from the base will take place after the event, a confirmation of receipt is not required.

With reference to Article 14, Clause 3 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], under what circumstances a concern relating to the essential security interests of the implementation of the Agreement would be made.

Article 14 of the Treaty sets out the role of the Joint Commission in resolving disputes. It is expected that the majority of security concerns that arise once the Agreement is in force will be resolved via the Joint Commission. As stated in Annex 1, paragraph 10, in the event that the UK has serious concerns that a proposed activity by Mauritius risked conflicting with the obligations in Article 3(2)(b), the UK may raise that concern at the political level for urgent consultations.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], what level of detail is required to be passed onto Mauritius in relation to an armed attack.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for informing Mauritius of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], whether Mauritius will be required to receive operational planning in relation to an armed attack.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, what the agreed advanced timing is to inform Mauritius of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.

As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 3, of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], whether permission will be required from Mauritius to (a) upgrade and (b) maintain equipment on the base.

As stated in Annex 1, paragraph 1 of the Treaty, the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to authorise the installation, operation, and repair of new and existing systems on Diego Garcia, without the need to give notification. In respect of the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, Annex 1, paragraph 3 states that the UK shall have rights of access to maintain and upgrade equipment after notification to Mauritius. There is no requirement to seek permission in either scenario. With the robust security provisions negotiated under this agreement, the UK maintains full operational control of the military base on Diego Garcia.

What estimate he has made of the amount of funding required to certify relevant F-35 variants as dual capable aircraft.

We will be examining ways in which the UK could enhance support to NATO's nuclear mission. There are many options for how we might do this, and no decisions have been made. We will announce decisions on the UK's future combat air requirement in due course as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether he plans to donate Warrior Infantry Fighting vehicles to Ukraine.

Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) are key platforms for the British Army to meet Defence Commitments.Although small numbers are scheduled for disposal, these will have been selected in line with serviceability and suitability for role. As such, without substantial investment, they are not likely to offer significant capability to Ukraine and providing such small numbers would only increase the diversity of Ukraine's armoured vehicle fleet - increasing their logistic and training burdens.The UK will continue to work with Ukraine to identify how best to help them to resist Russian aggression.

When each (a) person and (b) company received unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review on 2 June 2025.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews.

Whether any (a) people and (b) companies received unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review before 3.00pm on 2 June 2025.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews.

Whether he has a target for the number of claims that will be assessed at each meeting of the independent panel as part of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme announced on 12 December 2024.

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) launched in December of 2024, and as of 9 June 2025, 44 applicants have received payment. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with. The Scheme continues to make progress with applications, with process capacity expected to increase in the coming months. The FRS is continually looking for opportunities to automate processes where possible, to streamline processing and to work as efficiently as possible processing applications, taking account of the complexity and need for careful consideration. Payments made by the FRS are not compensation payments and do not seek to compensate for any pecuniary losses or attempt to place personnel in a financial position they could have been in, had the ban not existed. There is no predetermined target for the number of claims that will be assessed at each sitting of the Independent Panel for the FRS. The volume of claims reviewed at each sitting will vary depending on the length and complexity of individual cases, so it is not possible to confirm in advance how many cases will be considered in any given meeting. The Department expects to increase the frequency of Independent Panel sittings, with the aim of holding up to two sittings per week. No formal assessment has been made of trends in waiting times for the assessment of claims under the Scheme. However, the Department is currently working on how we can simplify the process to update applicants. Applicants can contact the Restorative Action Team at the following email address: lgbt-frscheme@mod.gov.uk The Department will continue to keep resourcing under close review to ensure the FRS is fully supported. This includes assessing whether additional staff are required to manage demand and maintain the timely assessment of claims. The Department continues to monitor the overall progress of claims and remains committed to ensuring the scheme is delivered as efficiently and fairly as possible.