Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 3,021–3,040 of 3,162 · this parliament
With reference to his oral statement on Defence Programmes Developments of 20 November 2024, Official Report, column 287, whether he had discussions with (a) Lord Robertson and (b) other members of the Strategic Defence Review expert team on the decommissioning of capabilities before 20 November 2024.
As the Secretary of State for Defence explained in his oral statement these decisions were "all backed by the Chiefs and taken in consultation with the SDR Reviewers."
Where and when (a) Watchkeeper Mk 1, (b) Puma, (c) the 14 Chinook helicopters that are being retired, (d) HMS Northumberland, (e) HMS Albion, (f) HMS Bulwark, (g) RFA Wave Knight and (h) RFA Wave Ruler were last used on operations.
Defence has taken the decision to retire some ageing equipment, as we transition to new capabilities and make our Armed Forces fit for the future. HMS BULWARK was last operation in 2017; HMS NORTHUMBERLAND in 2022; HMS ALBION in 2023; RFA WAVE RULER in 2017; and RFA WAVE KNIGHT in 2022. A Watchkeeper Mk1 battery deployed Estonia in August 2024 as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. Puma HC2 is deployed now in Cyprus and Brunei and will continue to provide operational support until retirement on 31 Mar 25. The 14 Chinooks being retired continue to provide operational output as part of the forward fleet – the available fleet available for operations. They will remain in service until their flying hours reach the next deep maintenance requirement period. Defence is considering a range of options to replace these platforms – this includes the commitment to numerous next generation capabilities such as Type 26 and 31 Frigates, and the Extended Range version of the Chinook helicopter.
With reference to his statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report columns 287 to 289, which Army ranks will qualify for the £8,000 retention payment.
All qualifying Substantive Regular UK Trained Army Personnel (TAP) soldiers ranking from OR2 (Private) to OR3 (Lance Corporal), entering their third year of service, will receive an Army Retention payment of £8,000.
What plans he has for HMS Northumberland after she leaves service.
As yet, no further decisions have been made regarding future disposal plans for HMS NORTHUMBERLAND. As with all decommissioned ships, a full suite of options is being assessed to ensure that the disposal achieves value for money and is policy compliant (safety, environmental and security).
What the potential operational implications are of retiring RFA (a) Wave Knight and (b) Wave Ruler in March 2025.
RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler were placed into extended readiness by the previous Government, and have not been available for operations since 2022 and 2017 respectively. Therefore, the retirements will have no operational implications.
With reference to his statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report columns 287 to 289, if he will publish a tabulated breakdown of the forecast £500m of savings.
The information requested is commercially sensitive and cannot be disclosed at this time.
When he plans to announce financial details of the increase to Continuity of Educational Allowance.
The MOD has now concluded its re-rating exercise for Continuity of Education Allowance. The next iteration of Joint Service Publication 752 (Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances), to be released on 1 January 2025, will contain the new rates and is available via the gov.uk portal.
What the potential operational implications are of retiring Puma helicopters in March 2025.
The MOD takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability transitions. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps in Cyprus and Brunei before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Key operational tasks will continue to be fulfilled.
What the potential operational implications are of retiring the Puma helicopters early for (a) the RAF, (b) RAF Akrotiri and (c) British Forces Cyprus.
The Puma aircraft based in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island of Cyprus have historically supported emergency response across the SBAs, as well as providing firefighting, troop movement, training and defence engagement tasks. Defence is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps, before the H-145 platform enters service from 2026. Defence's Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of retiring the Puma helicopters early on (a) Episkopi and (b) Dhekelia Garrison.
The Puma helicopters in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island of Cyprus have historically supported emergency response across the SBAs, as well as providing troop movement and defence engagement tasks to British Forces Cyprus, including Episkopi and Dhekelia garrisons. The MOD takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability transitions. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability transitions in the SBAs before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Defence’s Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of retiring Puma helicopters in March 2025 on capability.
The MOD takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability transitions. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps in Cyprus and Brunei before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Key operational tasks will continue to be fulfilled.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of bus services in South Suffolk constituency.
Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce the Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in South Suffolk.In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. Suffolk County Council has been allocated £8.7 million.
Whether he has had discussions with his US counterpart on the cost of the new settlement with the Chagos Islands to the (a) UK and (b) US.
This historic agreement protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security. The base is a joint UK-US facility and is an essential part of the UK-US defence relationship. Discussions between the Secretary of State and his US counterpart will continue to cover all aspects of the future operation of the base.
Whether his Department will continue to provide support for export campaigns for the Watchkeeper drone.
Yes. The Government will continue to support the export of Watchkeeper-X. This will support UK industry, growth and jobs whist also strengthening strategic defence relationship with partners and allies.
What progress he has made on increasing the number of exports of the Type (a) 26 and (b) 31 frigates.
The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business and Trade are actively supporting the promotion of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and Type 31 Arrowhead 140 designs to other navies around the world with similar requirements.The Type 26 has been down selected as one of four options for the Norwegian Future Frigate competition.
Whether he has instructed Defence Equipment and Support to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.
We continue to review and spend on our priorities as part of normal financial management. Our approach applies to the whole Department and is not specific to Defence Equipment and Support.
When he last issued instructions to his Department on the threshold for financial sign-off of new procurements; and what those instructions were.
We continue to review and spend on our priorities as part of normal financial management There have been a number of communications as part of departmental business to enable us to get a grip of defence spending. We are committed to securing value for money for taxpayers and cutting waste, for instance taking immediate action to stop all non-essential Government consultancy spending in financial year 2024-25.
If he will list meetings between his Department and relevant US stakeholders on the Chagos Islands since 5 July 2024.
Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office personnel have been engaging with counterparts in the US Department of Defense, the State Department and National Security Council multiple times each week since 5 July 2024.
What steps his Department is taking to assess the extent to which (a) aircrew and (b) other personnel were exposed to toxic fumes whilst operating (i) helicopters and (ii) other aircraft.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to the health and wellbeing of our people. In response to concerns, the Department has previously conducted testing of the now out of service Sea King helicopter. The Department is initiating the testing of the exhaust emissions of in-service helicopters to ensure we are meeting our duty of care for personnel. It is essential that we can assure our people of their safety at work.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Secretary of State for Defence in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during Oral Questions to the Ministry for Defence on 18 November 2024, for what reason he will not publish the cost of the Chagos settlement.
As confirmed in my response to the hon Member's oral question to me during urgent questions on 2 December 2024, he will know as a former Defence Minister, while the Ministry of Defence routinely discloses running costs for overseas bases and training areas it is long-standing policy, followed by successive Governments, that payments made by Government to Governments are not revealed.