Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether his Department has received enquiries from international partners on the potential sale of (a) HMS Bulwark and (b) HMS Albion.

The Royal Navy is exploring options to sell both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark in a government-to-government sale. These vessels had, in effect, been retired by the previous Government. Their sale will save £9 million a year in maintenance costs in addition to the receipt from the sale, unlocking as much funding as possible to invest in modernisation, as well as reinforcing relationships with international partners.

Whether he plans to allow UK defence companies to participate in (a) careers fairs and (b) related events on university campuses.

The Ministry of Defence works closely with UK defence companies to highlight the significant benefits of a career in the defence sector. We recognise that attracting and retaining the right mix of skills is critical to sustaining a vibrant, innovative and competitive UK defence sector, and this is an important area of focus in the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy.Decisions relating to UK defence companies participating in careers fairs and related events on university campuses are for the companies themselves. Such events provide students valuable opportunities to learn about different career possibilities in the defence sector.

Whether he has had discussions with the Chief of the Air Staff on procuring a replacement for the Hawk T2.

Ministers regularly discuss the future capability requirements of the Royal Air Force with the Chief of the Air Staff. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 3 December 2024 to Question 15292.

Where the (a) final assembly and (b) systems integration of the Fleet Solid Support Ships being constructed by Navantia will take place.

The overall build strategy for the Fleet Solid Support ships remains unchanged. All three ships will be assembled from blocks manufactured in Harland & Wolff shipyards in the UK and Navantia's shipyards in Spain. Final assembly and systems integration of the ships is planned to take place in Belfast.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19740 on Ukraine: Military Aid, how many of the 4,000 drones were procured since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 December 2024 to Questions 19737, 19738 and 19740. For operational security reasons he will understand that it is not possible to provide more detailed procurement and delivery schedules. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as needed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19738 on Ukraine: Military Aid, how many of the 15,000 anti-tank weapons were procured since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 December 2024 to Questions 19737, 19738 and 19740. For operational security reasons he will understand that it is not possible to provide more detailed procurement and delivery schedules. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as needed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December to Question 19737 on Ukraine: Military Aid, how many of the rounds of artillery ammunition delivered to Ukraine were procured since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 December 2024 to Questions 19737, 19738 and 19740. For operational security reasons he will understand that it is not possible to provide more detailed procurement and delivery schedules. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as needed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, whether if the pension package will differ to that offered to the previous NSA.

As are all special advisers, the National Security Adviser is entitled to membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, whether the current NSA salary will be more than that paid to the previous NSA.

As a special adviser, the National Security Adviser’s salary is determined by the Special Adviser People Board, in line with the special adviser pay framework. Information on Special Adviser pay will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers as per the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as was the case under the previous Administration.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, when he plans to publish the Annual Report on Special Advisers.

The Annual Report on Special Advisers is published annually as per the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as was the case under the previous Administration. The 2025 Annual Report on Special Advisers will be published later this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, whether the remuneration package for the National Security Adviser has been approved yet by HM Treasury.

Special advisers’ salaries are determined by the Special Adviser People Board, in line with the special adviser pay framework.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, whether the contract for the National Security Advise differs from the Model Contract for Special Advisers.

All special advisers, including the National Security Adviser, are employed under the terms of the Model Contract for Special Advisers, available on GOV.UK.

Whether it remains Government policy that at least 60% of sub-contracting companies working on fleet solid support ships should be from the UK.

The overall build strategy for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships remains unchanged. All three ships will be assembled in the UK, with blocks manufactured in Navantia’s shipyards in Spain and in Harland and Wolff’s shipyards in the UK, retaining the overall UK workshare as originally planned. The value of the individual contracts is commercially sensitive information. It is expected that approximately 60 per cent of the contract value will be with UK companies. The FSS ship contract will create more than 1,200 UK shipyard jobs and around 800 jobs will be sustained in the UK supply chain. There is also substantial investment being made in the UK including around £100 million into UK shipyards. As prime contractor for the FSS Programme, Navantia UK is responsible for delivery of the contract and is in the process of letting a number of contracts to UK companies, in addition to those already let with BMT and Harland & Wolff.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of MAERSK’s decision to relocate all UK operations from the Port of Felixstowe on (a) the surrounding road network, (b) Orwell Bridge and (c) Copdock Interchange.

Changes to shipping schedules and ports of call is standard practice within the shipping and ports market, with changes to shipping alliances being cyclical. At this time, it is not clear that the relocation of Maersk’s 2M Alliance operations away from Felixstowe will lead to any overarching change in cargo volumes, as their 2M partner, MSC, undertook many of the services and continues to call at the port. Additionally, some cargo is route based and does not automatically move when a shipping provider does. Finally, the potential opening of capacity at the port provides commercial opportunities for other shipping lines. Until there has been a period of re-adjustment within the market it is too early to understand the impacts on road links serving Felixstowe. The Department and National Highways will always consider relevant wider impacts in the operation, maintenance and plans for future enhancements on specific key infrastructure serving our ports.

Whether the new National Armaments Director will be required to have had significant experience in the defence industry.

Details of the required and desired experience for the new National Armaments Director role will be detailed in the job description, which will be published shortly.

Whether he is taking steps to help sustain shipbuilding jobs at (a) Belfast and (b) Appledore shipyards.

This Government recognises the vital role shipbuilding and its skilled workforce plays, not only in our national security but also in the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom. A commercial deal has been reached that will see Navantia UK purchase Harland and Wolff. We welcome the commercial deal by Navantia UK that secures the future of Harland and Wolff, protecting around 1,000 jobs at all four shipyards across the UK, including Belfast and Appledore.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 December to Question 18156 on Army: Vehicles, whether he plans to increase the numbers of Heavy Equipment Transporters procured as new track vehicles entering use in the Army.

There is no current plan to increase the number of Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET) procured as new track vehicles enter use in the Army. The number of HET provided under the existing service contract is deemed sufficient to meet the Army’s operational and training requirements.

Whether all crew assigned to (a) HMS Albion and (b) HMS Bulwark have been reassigned to other platforms.

All of the remaining crew from HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark have been reassigned: either to other platforms, to training courses, or into other positions supporting the Royal Navy's highest priority outputs.A small number of Royal Navy personnel have been retained to manage onboard systems and safety until final disposal.

Whether it is his policy to deliver the commitments of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper published on 25 March 2024.

Nuclear deterrence is critically important to our national security and this Government maintains an unwavering commitment to our nuclear deterrent, illustrated by the nuclear triple lock. This includes the ongoing build of the four Dreadnought Class submarines at Barrow-in-Furness, maintaining our continuous at sea deterrent, and the delivery of all future upgrades needed for the UK’s submarines to patrol the waters and keep our country safe.

If she will make it her policy to review the effectiveness of National Highways' deployment of traffic officers on the A14 during serious accidents.

The police manage all incidents on the A14. National Highways is informed by the police of all incidents on the A14 and provides traffic officer support for serious incidents when a unit is available to attend.