Written questions by MacCleary.

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

Whether his Department has considered replacing the mark 1 30mm cannon on the Type 45 with the DS30M mark 2.

The Ministry of Defence keeps the capabilities of all Royal Navy platforms under regular review to ensure they remain aligned with operational requirements. The Type 45 Destroyers are equipped with a range of layered defensive systems that continue to meet current operational needs.Any future consideration of alternative weapon systems would be assessed against cost, capability need, platform integration requirements, crew impacts, and overall value for money in the context of the developing Defence Investment Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 115740 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what remedies his Department has available should General Dynamics UK be in material breach of its obligations under the contract to supply Ajax-family vehicles.

DEFCON 514 did not exist at the point the Ajax contract was placed. However, the narrative conditions included in the Ajax contract are at least as favourable to the Authority as DEFCON 514. If General Dynamics UK are determined to be in Material Breach of its obligations under the contract, the Authority has a range of remedies available to them to secure the successful delivery of the vehicles, including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 115740 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, for what reason DEFCON 514 was excluded from his Department’s contract with General Dynamics UK for the supply of Ajax-family vehicles.

DEFCON 514 did not exist at the point the Ajax contract was placed. However, the narrative conditions included in the Ajax contract are at least as favourable to the Authority as DEFCON 514. If General Dynamics UK are determined to be in Material Breach of its obligations under the contract, the Authority has a range of remedies available to them to secure the successful delivery of the vehicles, including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate.

Whether his department updated the Leonardo contract for new medium helicopters (NMH) in line with inflation.

Tenderers were required to hold their price for the duration of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) procurement process, and there has been no change to the contract price from the received tender. As I noted in my Written Statement to the House of 3 March 2026, this contract will supply our military with 23 modern helicopters, built in the UK, directly sustaining 3,300 British jobs at Leonardo Yeovil, and enables the potential for over £15 billion of export opportunities over the next decade.

What is the number of staff dedicated to preparing the Defence Investment Plan over the last twelve months.

The Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication.

How many Type 31 Frigates will have Mk.41 VLS added during the Capability Insertion Period.

We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we are progressing the next steps of the Mk41 procurement, including assessment of all installation and integration options. At this stage, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

How many Type 31 Frigates will have Mk.41 VLS incorporated during construction and prior to launch.

We intend to fit the Type 31 frigate with the Mark 41 vertical launch system. Working closely with the US Navy, we are progressing the next steps of the Mk41 procurement, including assessment of all installation and integration options. At this stage, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand, it would be inappropriate to provide any further information whilst this commercially sensitive work is ongoing.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 108465 on Ammunition: Factories, when the construction of the planned new munitions factories is expected to (a) begin and (b) be completed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 3 February to Question 108465.

How much and what proportion of his Department’s Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit is committed and accounted for (a) by contracts already in place and (b) other existing spending commitments in (i) 2026-27, (ii) 2027-28 and (iii) 2028-29 financial years.

The Department does not routinely put forecast figures into the public domain. The Ministry of Defence's forward spending plans are being considered as part of work on the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether DEFCON 514 is applicable to the contract between his Department and General Dynamics UK for the supply of Ajax-family vehicles.

DEFCON 514 is not applicable to the Ajax contract with General Dynamics UK, however similar provisions are included.

What is the average time it takes for service personnel to be issued with a FMed133 following discharge.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of facilitating the transfer of healthcare information to civilian healthcare provider(s) when an individual leaves the Armed Forces. Service Personnel are issued with an FMed133 at their final medical. Final medicals are completed within the last 90 days of service; therefore, Personnel are issued with their FMed133 prior to discharge. Personnel are also advised to register with an NHS GP one to three months prior to discharge and provide their NHS GP with a copy of their FMed133.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 February 2026 to Question 111525 on Armed Forces: Mental Health Services, whether veterans receive a second Structured Mental Health Assessment after discharge.

Veterans’ healthcare is the responsibility of the NHS; however, where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for mental healthcare, DMS works in partnership with the NHS to ensure continuation of care. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required. In England, Op COURAGE provides a broad range of specialist mental health and wellbeing care and support for service leavers, reservists and veterans, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Importantly, unlike many other services, Op COURAGE accepts self-referral, empowering patients to take control of their care needs. Op COURAGE has received over 35,000 referrals to date; over one third of all referrals were made directly by veterans. I would encourage any veteran who is struggling with their mental health to self-refer or seek the support of their GP to access Op COURAGE.

Whether his Department has assessed the adequacy of National Minimum Wage compliance for Royal Fleet Auxiliary roles.

Royal Fleet Auxillary salaries are benchmarked against comparable roles across the wider maritime industry to ensure competitiveness and reflect market conditions. Constructive pay discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions are ongoing, focused on supporting retention and delivering a modern, growing organisation capable of meeting current and future defence tasking.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 February 2026 to Question 111525, how many Structured Mental Health Assessments (SMHAs) were completed i) in person and ii) virtually.

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost; however, Structured Mental Health Assessments (SMHAs) are typically conducted in person as part of the release medical provided on discharge from the Armed Forces.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 February 2026 to UIN 111525, how many Structured Mental Health Assessments were completed i) prior to and ii) post discharge.

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Whether the use RAF A400M Atlas aircraft to provide air-to-air refuelling to Chinook H-47(ER) aircraft would require compensation payments to the Airtanker Consortium.

The Chinook H‑47(ER) is being procured with full air‑to‑air refuelling (AAR) receiver capability. On current plans, refuelling support will be provided by the U.S. KC‑130. Concerning compensation payments to the AirTanker Consortium, whilst the AirTanker contract does not specifically exclude any type of receiver aircraft, it is restricted to AAR for Fixed Wing aircraft. Therefore, AAR for Rotary Wing aircraft is exempt from exclusivity claims.

What is the maximum operating weight of a fixed-wing aircraft that can be launched and recovered from a Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier without the use of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment.

The Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are configured to operate Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing aircraft and helicopters and do not have catapults or arrestor gear for conventional fixed-wing operations. The fixed-wing aircraft operated is the F-35B Lightning.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111022, what proportion of the original capability requirements specified for the Ajax-family vehicles have been relaxed or amended due to an inability of the vehicles to meet the original requirements.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to Questions 111022, 111024 and 111025 on 12 February 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111025, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the capability requirements that Ajax-family Capability Drop 4 vehicles will fully comply with.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to Questions 111022, 111024 and 111025 on 12 February 2026.