Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 3,185 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total remaining cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.
The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, how much of the £405 million committed to upgrading the Sea Viper missile system had been spent on 13 April 2026.
The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.
Whether there has been a reduction in the number of usable training villages at the Global Hub Oman since 5 July 2024.
The facility continues to have three usable training villages.
Whether he will present the findings from the Army investigation on the Ajax programme to Parliament.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, what is the total cost of ordering the 20 uncrewed surface vessels.
As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.
With reference to the comments by the Minister for Veterans and People in the Opposition Day Debate entitled Defence, Column 267, 24 March 2026, when the 20 uncrewed surface vessels will be in service.
As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.
Whether he will present the findings from the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation on the Ajax programme to Parliament.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).
With reference to page 27 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, what is the total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to his Department.
As of 25 March 2026, 83 Civil Servants from the UK Defence Exports team had transferred from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. The total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence is 94, and this transition was fully completed on 1st April 2026. This move marked the final step in the transition of full responsibility for the UK Defence Exports team from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.
With reference to page 27 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, how many personnel have transitioned from the Department for Business and Trade to his Department as of 25 March 2026.
As of 25 March 2026, 83 Civil Servants from the UK Defence Exports team had transferred from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. The total number of personnel who will transition from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence is 94, and this transition was fully completed on 1st April 2026. This move marked the final step in the transition of full responsibility for the UK Defence Exports team from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence.
With reference to page 12 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, if he will list the partners with whom the United Kingdom will build societal resilience.
The Ministry of Defence is working closely with our allies and partners to learn from their experience in building societal resilience and homeland defence. The Ministry of Defence does not intend to provide a list of these allies and partners, as doing so could unnecessarily constrain the expansive range of partnerships we seek to develop as part of our efforts to build the UK's societal resilience.
Whether the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation on the Ajax programme has concluded.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).
Whether the Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme has concluded.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).
When he plans to present the Army investigation on the Ajax programme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, when was the order for 20 uncrewed surface vessels placed.
As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, when the 20 uncrewed surface ordered will be in service with the armed forces.
As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.
Whether the safety investigation into the Ajax programme has concluded.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2026 to Question 121649 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty).
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Veterans and People during the debate on Defence of 24 March 2026, Official Report, column 267, when was the contract for the 20 uncrewed surface vessels signed.
As part of Project Beehive, the Royal Navy has ordered 20 uncrewed surface vessels under a contract worth £12.3 million. The fleet of 20 vessels will be used by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines for operations, training and development activities to help set the foundation for further uses of autonomous and uncrewed technology.
With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, whether the review into the use of think tanks will be published before Parliament.
As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.
With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, when the review into the use of think tanks will (a) begin and (b) conclude.
As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.
With reference to page 29 of his Department's document entitled Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, whether he will publish a terms of reference for the review into the use of think tanks.
As part of our implementation of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has begun work to understand how we can reinvigorate our approach to think tank engagement to better support defence diplomacy activity and enhance our international relationships. Work on the initial review will be completed before the end of 2026, although we anticipate an ongoing conversation with think tanks rather than a one-off project. Defence is considering how best to engage with Parliament. We will ensure the review and the insights it delivers can be implemented effectively in a timely manner within Defence and with the think tank community. The review will be led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Policy organisation within the Department of State, with support from the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC) and other parts of the department as appropriate. The review will be steered by Minister of State Lord Coaker.