Written questions by MacCleary.

What proportion of complaints received by the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner were responded to within 24 weeks in each of the last five years.

Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.

How many complaints the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner received in each of the last five years.

Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.

How many of the complaints received by the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner were submitted by LGBTQ+ personnel under JSP 831 in i) 2026, ii) 2025 and iii) 2024.

Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.

When does he plan to issue an update to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25th of March 2026, which Royal Naval ships have been deployed to carry out this task.

The Royal Navy routinely deploys a range of maritime assets to monitor, track and, where appropriate, take action against vessels of concern in and around UK waters. For reasons of operational security, it is the Department’s longstanding policy not to comment on the specific Royal Navy ships deployed to undertake such tasks.

Under what legislation do British forces operate in UK waters.

UK forces operate in accordance with both international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and domestic law.

By which year does he forecast the Royal Navy surface fleet will return to its minimum target strength of 19 frigates and destroyers.

Awaiting answer.

What progress his Department has made on resolving disputes over pay and work conditions in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

We continue to engage constructively with trade unions. It would not be appropriate to offer more detail of these engagements as discussions are ongoing.

When he plans to issue an update to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What progress his Department has made on the Type 83 design process; and whether it will be completed by 2038.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to question 106653 on 27 January 2026.

What steps his Department is taking to improve mine hunting capabilities.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many operational vessels are available to the Royal Navy with hospital or casualty receiving facilities.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What progress he has made on (a) Project Beehive, (b) MMCM program (Marine Mine Counter Measures), (c) SeaCat and (d) the repairs to HMS Bangor.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

(a) when he expects the Ministry of Defence to respond to Freedom of Information request FOI2026/00636, submitted by my office on the 9th January 2026, and (b) what the reasons are for the delay in issuing a response.

It has taken more time than expected to collate the information in scope of this request. I apologise for the delay and will aim to provide a substantive response as soon as possible.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by VIVO from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

What plans his Department has for the provision of simulation and training infrastructure to support the New Medium Helicopter programme.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract includes the provision of four Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). These will be housed at RAF Benson, along with associated training infrastructure.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Pinnacle Service Families from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Amey from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using defence bonds as a way to finance capital-intensive commitments in the Strategic Defence Review.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many urgent repairs were requested for Service Family Accommodation from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

Between 23 March and 6 April 2026, a total of 1,639 requests were logged as urgent repair requests for Service Family Accommodation properties across the UK Defence estate. A report that is detailing the breakdown of urgent repairs by their reason can be seen in the table below. CategoryNumber of requestsBRICKLAYER WORKS2ELECTRICAL ENGINEER288GROUNDWORKS4HANDYMAN5HEAT/AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WORKS5HEATING REPRESSURISE SYSTEM WORKS3GAS ENGINEER WORKS622HEAT AND OIL WORKS8JOINER WORKS181MOULD TREATMENT WORKS3PEST CONTROL WORKS15PLUMBING WORKS471ROOFER WORKS28SPECIALIST WORKS4Grand Total1,639