Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to the letter written to the Defence Committee entitled Ministry of Defence paper providing information on Defence Reform, published on 21 October 2025, if he will list the quarterly reform programme milestones and if they were reached in financial year 2024-25.

During financial year 2024–25, Defence Reform made progress against its programme milestones, including the establishment of new Defence structures and strengthened arrangements at the centre of the Department. This comprised the creation of a Military Strategic Headquarters and a National Armaments Director Group, alongside enhanced roles for the Department of State and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. These milestones were supported by the introduction of collective senior leadership arrangements to drive a Defence which is more concentrated on strengthening warfighting readiness and deterrence.

With reference to Q37 of the oral evidence given by the National Armaments Director to the Defence Committee on 17 March 2026, HC 1779, whether the number of staff in his Department working on the Defence Investment Plan was reduced during Christmas recess.

From the beginning, the Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with military and civilian personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication. Although they had at least Christmas day off, as is established practice, this work has been continuous.

With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, whether there is a upper limit on the amount her Department can draw from the special reserve.

Iran’s indiscriminate attacks are a threat to Britain, our allies and our partners in the region. As she set out in the House on 9 March, the Chancellor has approved access for the Ministry of Defence to the special reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the Middle East. The net additional costs of operations will be funded by the Treasury. We do not yet know how long the conflict will last or what further action will be required, but the Chancellor is being responsive in an uncertain world, and is protecting the public finances in the national interest.

With reference to Q37 of the oral evidence given by the National Armaments Director to the Defence Committee on 17 March 2026, HC 1779, whether work on the Defence Investment Plan was paused during Christmas recess.

From the beginning, the Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with military and civilian personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication. Although they had at least Christmas day off, as is established practice, this work has been continuous.

With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, whether the money allocated to his Department through the special reserve can only fund operations in the Middle East.

Funding from the Special Reserve is not limited to any single region. The Reserve exists to meet the net additional costs of National Security Council (NSC)‑approved operations, subject to HM Treasury agreement.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 March to Question 119957 on Defence: Investment, whether the term flat out corresponds to any specific Departmental timeline.

We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as possible. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. As he will recall as former Minister for Defence Procurement, under the last Government only two of 49 defence procurement projects were on time and on budget.

With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, for how long will her Department be permitted to spend money allocated from the special reserve.

Iran’s indiscriminate attacks are a threat to Britain, our allies and our partners in the region. As she set out in the House on 9 March, the Chancellor has approved access for the Ministry of Defence to the special reserve to deploy additional capabilities in the Middle East. The net additional costs of operations will be funded by the Treasury. We do not yet know how long the conflict will last or what further action will be required, but the Chancellor is being responsive in an uncertain world, and is protecting the public finances in the national interest.

With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, whether money allocated to his Department by the special reserve will be spent on deploying Royal Navy assets to the Middle East.

Yes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 March to Question 116539 on Armed Forces Commissioner, whether he has a target date for the appointment of an Armed Forces Commissioner.

The Secretary of State for Defence has confirmed that former Air Commodore Suzanne ‘Polly’ Miller-Perkins CBE is the preferred candidate for appointment to the role of Armed Forces Commissioner. In line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments, this is to be an interim appointment made without competition for a period of 12 months while arrangements are made to run a new open competition. The candidate was subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee on 25 March 2026. The Commissioner will be in post and their office operational from 1 April 2026.

Whether he plans to accelerate the procurement of autonomous mine hunting systems for use by the Royal Navy.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement on the Middle East given in Parliament by the Secretary of State on Monday 23 March 2026.

With reference to Q33 of the oral evidence given by her Department's Permanent Secretary to the Defence Committee on 17 March 2026, HC 1779, when the Integrated Force Plan will be published.

The Integrated Force Plan is a constituent part of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). As has been outlined to the hon. Gentleman a number of times, the Department is working to finalise the DIP as soon as possible. It will be published when it is ready.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 118821 on Type 45 Destroyers: Procurement, whether any informal offers were made.

HMS Dragon was deployed at the first available moment on 10 March 2026. The deployment of Royal Navy assets remains under constant review to ensure we uphold the interests of the UK and our allies. To protect operational security, I cannot provide further information.

Whether a decision has been made on replacements for the Royal Navy's minehunters.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to the hon. Member for Slough (Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi) to Question 120373. Find written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, how much money has been allocated to his Department from the special reserve.

The Department's operational spend will be set out in its Annual Report and Accounts.

With reference to Q33 of the oral evidence given by her Department's Permanent Secretary to the Defence Committee on 17 March 2026, HC 1779, whether he will publish the terms of reference for the Integrated Force Plan.

The Integrated Force Plan is a constituent part of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). As has been outlined to the hon. Gentleman a number of times, the Department is working to finalise the DIP as soon as possible. It will be published when it is ready.

With reference to Q33 of the oral evidence given by her Department's Permanent Secretary to the Defence Committee on 17 March 2026, HC 1779, which Departments have not agreed to the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.

With reference to Q33 of the oral evidence given by her Department's Permanent Secretary to the Defence Committee on 17 March 2026, HC 1779, if he will list all Departments that are required to agree the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a Government document and plan, underpinned by the normal and appropriate collective agreement.

With reference to the response of the Permanent Secretary to Question 33 in the Defence Committee Session on MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, HC 1779 on 17 March 2026, whether the Integrated Force Plan will be published alongside the Defence Investment Plan.

The Integrated Force Plan is a constituent part of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). As has been outlined to the hon. Gentleman a number of times, the Department is working to finalise the DIP as soon as possible. It will be published when it is ready.

If he will list the autonomous mine hunting systems currently in use by the Royal Navy.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to the hon. Member for Slough (Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi) to Question 120373. Find written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

With reference to the oral statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Economic Update, Official Report, columns 43-45, whether the money spent by his Department through the special reserve allocation will be included in his Department's (a) NATO declared spend and (b) budget.

The special reserve is a ring-fenced allocation within the Ministry of Defence budget. As he may recall from his time as a Defence Minister, operational spend has routinely counted towards the UK's NATO qualifying defence spend.