Asked
How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK sovereign base areas on Cyprus since 5 July 2024.
Reply
All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.
The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 3,710 tabled · 3,489 answered
Written questions by Cartlidge.
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.
Department:All (3,710)Ministry of Defence (3253)Treasury (102)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (61)Department of Health and Social Care (59)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (38)Cabinet Office (25)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (24)Department for Transport (22)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (21)Department for Business and Trade (19)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (19)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (18)
Showing 541–560 of 3,710 · this parliament
Asked
If he will list the Royal Navy assets that will be sent to support the reopening of the strait of Hormuz.
Reply
We constantly review deployments of Royal Navy assets in line with securing the interests of the UK and our allies. We are continuing to work closely with our allies and partners in the region to mitigate threats to UK shipping. The Strait of Hormuz is a current issue and it would not be appropriate to specify details of any operational planning.
Asked
If he will state the length of HMS Dragon's deployment to Cyprus.
Reply
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked
On what date did he first discuss the deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus.
Reply
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked
Whether the Royal Navy made a formal offer for the preposition of a Type 45 Destroyer between 1 January 2026 and 2 February 2026.
Reply
We constantly review deployments of Royal Navy assets in line with securing the interests of the UK and our allies. No formal offer was made by the Royal Navy to deploy a Type 45 Destroyer ahead of HMS Dragon’s deployment at the first available moment on 10 March 2026.
Asked
When the decision was made to deploy HMS Dragon to Cyprus.
Reply
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked
Whether he held any discussions with (a) officials from his Department or (b) his ministerial colleagues on the deployment of HMS Dragon before 3 March 2026.
Reply
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked
When HMS Dragon will be deployed to Cyprus.
Reply
As the Secretary of State informed the House on 9 March 2026 - the Chief of the Defence Staff reviewed the proposal to deploy HMS Dragon to the Eastern Mediterranean on the 3 March 2026 and the Secretary of State signed it off the same day. Before coming to this decision, discussions were held on this and other topics, with both officials and Ministerial colleagues. HMS Dragon departed from Portsmouth on 10 March 2026 and for operational security reasons, we will not comment on the duration of her deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked
If he will list the counter drone capabilities that will be deployed to Cyprus.
Reply
We do not comment on specifics, however, the Government has been increasing the counter-drone capability in Cyprus since January, through the addition of 400 personnel, Typhoon and F-35 jets, air defence missiles, and radar. HMS Dragon is on the way to the region, which will provide additional capability. We will keep the situation under constant review, but I cannot say more than this for operational security reasons.
Asked
Whether around-the-clock staffing is in place at HMNB Portsmouth.
Reply
HM Naval Base Portsmouth operates on a continuous 24‑hour basis. Appropriate Duty Staff are in place at all times to maintain the safety, security, and operational availability of the site. He will recall from his time as a Defence Minister that for security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific staffing levels or detailed security arrangements at any defence establishment.
Asked
Whether the Royal Navy's Proteus programme will receive funding allocated in the Defence Investment Plan.
Reply
Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Asked
Whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon.
Reply
DragonFire is a cutting-edge Laser Directed Energy Weapon system that remains in its demonstration and evaluation phase. Under current plans, the DragonFire system will commence delivery in 2027.
Asked
Whether he plans to deploy HMS Anson to the Middle East.
Reply
The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the tasks or plans for individual submarines for reasons of national security.
Asked
Whether he plans to authorise any changes to the deployment of HMS Anson.
Reply
The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the tasks or plans for individual submarines for reasons of national security.
Asked
How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited Al-Udeid base in Qatar since 5 July 2024.
Reply
All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.
Asked
How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the Al Minhad Air Base in UAE since 5 July 2024.
Reply
All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.
Asked
How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK base in Oman since 5 July 2024.
Reply
All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.
Asked
How many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have visited the UK base in Bahrain since 5 July 2024.
Reply
All Ministerial overseas travel is published quarterly online within the Transparency Returns on GOV.UK.
Asked
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports, published on 2 March 2026, what proportion of the £1 billion contract will be spent on delivering (a) NMH and (b) Proteus.
Reply
Given the hon. Gentleman’s former role as the Minister for Defence Procurement he will be aware of the details of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract. We have improved upon that deal, renewing and strengthening MOD’s relationship with a key industry partner. Aside from the contract to supply 23 AW149 aircraft, Leonardo have agreed that future military international orders will be built in the UK, with an increased workshare for the UK above 40%. Moreover, Leonardo have also agreed to make the United Kingdom the home of exports for the AW149, with the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade. In addition, Leonardo have agreed to make Yeovil their global centre of excellence for autonomous helicopters, building on the ongoing successful development of Project Proteus. The £1 billion deal with Leonardo for NMH does not include funding committed to Proteus. Proteus is a £60 million programme, with information on the additional funding to be published in due course.
Asked
Whether he had plans to deploy a Type 45 Destroyer to Cyprus prior to 2 March 2026.
Reply
As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately. HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.
Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
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