Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2025 to Question 98827 on Navy: North Atlantic Bastion, how many contracts have been signed to deliver Atlantic Bastion as of 11 February 2026.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), when published, will set the funding envelope for the programme. The Atlantic Bastion capability options submitted for consideration in the DIP include a blend of uncrewed systems, underwater payloads, options to increase lethality, and improvements to crewed platforms. While unable to provide detailed information owing to commercial sensitivity, there has been significant interest from industry in Atlantic Bastion, with combined Ministry of Defence and industry investment of £14 million already committed this year to testing and development. Additionally, 26 consortia from the UK and Europe have submitted proposals to develop anti-submarine sensor technology, with 20 companies from big primes to tech SMEs already showcasing technology demonstrators.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 100908 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, if he will list the contracts that have been placed.

Under Project BRAKESTOP, 11 contracts have been placed covering development and production of prototype effectors, a bespoke warhead, test ranges and other ancillary services such as transportation and storage. The entities with which these contracts have been placed cannot be named at this stage due to commercial sensitivities.

Whether the first flight trial for Project Brakestop has taken place.

The first flight trial under Project BRAKESTOP took place in December 2025.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry during the Urgent Question on Ministry of Defence: Palantir Contracts of 10 February 2026, Official Report, column 691, whether the publication of files relating to Peter Mandelson will include reference to his visit to Palantir headquarters in Washington DC on 27 February 2025.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether he was aware that Palantir was a client of Global Counsel prior to the Prime Minister's visit to Palantir's headquarters in Washington DC on 27 February 2025.

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff. Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

When she plans to respond to Question 88735 on Schools: South Suffolk, tabled on 10 November 2025.

The response to Written Parliamentary Questions 88735, 88736 and 88737 was published on 18 March 2026.

When she plans to respond to Question 88737 on Special Educational Needs: Finance, tabled on 10 November 2025.

The response to Written Parliamentary Questions 88735, 88736 and 88737 was published on 18 March 2026.

When she plans to respond to Question 88736 on Special Educational Needs, tabled on 10 November 2025.

The response to Written Parliamentary Questions 88735, 88736 and 88737 was published on 18 March 2026.

Whether (a) he or (b) any of his ministerial colleagues held discussions with representatives from Global Counsel regarding procurement contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Ministerial meetings with external organisations and the purpose of these meetings are reported quarterly online on GOV.UK.

With reference to Annex 1, Clause 1 (b), of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 Mat 2025, whether unrestricted ability to control the storage of all goods, including but not limited to fuels, weapons and hazardous materials, includes the (a) storage and (b) presence of nuclear weapons.

Having said the answer three times in the debate and subsequently in the chamber too, I am surprised the hon. Gentleman needs me to say this again but.I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in the House of Commons on 28 January, column 959. It is longstanding UK policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 100908 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, how many contracts have been placed.

Under Project BRAKESTOP, 11 contracts have been placed covering development and production of prototype effectors, a bespoke warhead, test ranges, and other ancillary services such as transportation and storage.

Whether he has placed any restrictions on the number of reservist service days an individual can conduct in the current financial year.

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.

Whether it remains his Department's policy to sell HMS Albion.

HMS ALBION is currently moored at HMNB Devonport and is being retained to support the generation of HMS BULWARK prior to her sale to Brazil. No plans for HMS ALBION’s disposal have been confirmed. HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark were tied up by the last government with no intention to send them to sea again before their out of service dates in the 2030s.

What his planned timetable is for announcing the replacement for the Hawk jet trainer.

A plan to replace these aircraft will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. All elements of this work, including the aircraft replacement, are progressing together. All decisions on future procurements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether there has been a delay to the announcement of the replacement for the Hawk jet trainer.

A plan to replace these aircraft will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. All elements of this work, including the aircraft replacement, are progressing together. All decisions on future procurements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

How much has been spent on the upkeep of HMS Albion since 20 November 2024.

The annual maintenance cost for HMS ALBION is circa £2 million per annum. This expenditure is to ensure that the ship remains safe whilst alongside HMNB Devonport on a tidal mooring. This ensures the ship remains compliant with environmental and safety legislation until disposal is complete. HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark were tied up by the last government with no intention to send them to sea again before their out of service dates in the 2030s.

Whether he has authorised any reduction in reserve service days in the remainder of this financial year.

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.

Whether he has made any changes to the number of reservist service days an individual can conduct in the current financial year.

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. There have been no reductions in RSD by the Services for the current financial year.

For what reason was the out of service date of Watchkeeper was extended beyond March 2025.

The Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System was due to be retired from service from March 2025 but will now remain in service until March 2027 to allow for the delivery of its replacement capability, Project CORVUS. The cost of keeping the Watchkeeper programme in service for the additional two-year period is currently anticipated to be £ 95,659,000.

What is the out of service date of HMS Iron Duke.

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish out-of-service dates for individual Royal Navy vessels. The precise out-of-service date will be determined through balancing operational requirements, maintenance schedules, and transition to modern and world leading capabilities introduced with the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates entering service.