Written questions by MacCleary.

What steps his Department is taking to support hospices in Lewes constituency.

While the majority of palliative care and end-of-life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, play a vital part in providing support to people at the end of their life, as well as their loved ones.The Government is providing £125 million in capital funding for eligible adult, and children and young people’s, hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. Of this, St Peter and St James Hospice is receiving £392,580, St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne is receiving £793,464, and the Southern Hospice Group, which includes Chestnut Tree House Hospice and Martlets, is receiving £2,985,422, and together, these services support people in the Lewes constituency.Children and young people’s hospices in England are receiving an additional £26 million in revenue funding for 2025/26, of which Chestnut Tree House will receive £713,000.We have also recently announced the continuation of this funding, with approximately £80 million in revenue funding, to be provided over the next three years. I can confirm that Chestnut Tree House will receive £728,000 in 2026/27.Additionally, the Government is developing a Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Modern Service Framework (MSF) for England. It will drive improvements in access, quality, and sustainability, and support integrated care boards to commission high-quality, personalised care. Through our MSF, we will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end-of-life care services, and we will also consider contracting and commissioning arrangements.

What steps is his Department taking to help ensure hospices receive sufficient funding to carry out at home visits.

We have provided a £125 million capital funding boost for eligible adult, and children and young people’s, hospices in England.  This can be used by hospices to improve IT systems, making it easier for general practices and hospitals to share vital data on patients. It can also help hospices to develop and better their outreach services to support people in their own homes when needed. We are also providing £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices in England over the next three financial years, giving them the stability to plan ahead and focus on what matters most, caring for their patients, whether that is on a hospice inpatient ward or in patients’ own homes. The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Modern Service Framework (MSF) for England. We will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements as part of our MSF. We recognise that there is currently a mix of contracting models in the hospice sector. By supporting integrated care boards to commission more strategically, we can move away from grant and block contract models. In the long term, this will aid sustainability and help hospices’ ability to plan ahead. Officials are working closely with a number of stakeholders from the hospice sector in the development of the MSF.The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative and end of life care services, including hospices, will have a big role to play in that shift. The MSF will address the drivers and incentives that are required in palliative care and end of life care to enable the shift from hospital to community.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that passports sent to UK Visas and Immigration are returned in a timely manner.

Visa processing times are published on the UKVI website at Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). UKVI are currently processing applications on the overwhelming majority of its visa routes within their published customer service standards.With the introduction of the eVisa digital permission, eligible customers can complete their biometric appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and retain their passport. Where customers applied before eVisa rollout, passports are retained whilst a decision is being made on their visa application by the Home Office and when a decision is made, this is communicated to the Visa Application Centre who in turn contact the customer to arrange collection of their passport. Some customers can purchase an optional service to retain their passport whilst a decision is being taken.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of UK Visa and Immigration holding applicants' passports for multiple months on those applicants.

Visa processing times are published on the UKVI website at Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). UKVI are currently processing applications on the overwhelming majority of its visa routes within their published customer service standards.With the introduction of the eVisa digital permission, eligible customers can complete their biometric appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and retain their passport. Where customers applied before eVisa rollout, passports are retained whilst a decision is being made on their visa application by the Home Office and when a decision is made, this is communicated to the Visa Application Centre who in turn contact the customer to arrange collection of their passport. Some customers can purchase an optional service to retain their passport whilst a decision is being taken.

What steps is her department taking to ensure all UK Visa and Immigration applications are processed in a timely manner.

Visa processing times are published on the UKVI website at Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). UKVI are currently processing applications on the overwhelming majority of its visa routes within their published customer service standards.With the introduction of the eVisa digital permission, eligible customers can complete their biometric appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and retain their passport. Where customers applied before eVisa rollout, passports are retained whilst a decision is being made on their visa application by the Home Office and when a decision is made, this is communicated to the Visa Application Centre who in turn contact the customer to arrange collection of their passport. Some customers can purchase an optional service to retain their passport whilst a decision is being taken.

How many UK Visa and Immigration applications are currently waiting for a decision.

Statistics on UK Visas and Immigration applications is published in table VSI_01a on GOV.UK in the ‘Summary of latest statistics - GOV.UK’, as part of the 'Migration Transparency data'. The information displayed goes back to 2021. For migration transparency data before 2021 please see the ‘Migration transparency data - GOV.UK – March 2014 to December 2024’ on National Archives website.The VSI_01a data table provides data on the volume of overseas and in-country applications received and input for each route, performance against service standard for each route and the number of applications that remain outstanding (work in progress – WIP).

What the average waiting time was for applications for indefinite leave to remain in (a) each year since 2016 and (b) 2026.

Statistics on UK Visas and Immigration applications is published in table VSI_01a on GOV.UK in the ‘Summary of latest statistics - GOV.UK’, as part of the 'Migration Transparency data'. The information displayed goes back to 2021. For migration transparency data before 2021 please see the ‘Migration transparency data - GOV.UK – March 2014 to December 2024’ on National Archives website.The VSI_01a data table provides data on the volume of overseas and in-country applications received and input for each route, performance against service standard for each route and the number of applications that remain outstanding (work in progress – WIP).

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to help develop a funding solution for the BBC World Service.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 February in response to Question 114008.

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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111024, what proportion of the capability requirements have Ajax-family Capability Drop 3 vehicles been verified to fully comply with.

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

What assessment he has made of the ability of RAF A330 Voyager aircraft to provide air-to-air refuelling to Chinook H-47(ER) aircraft.

The Chinook H‑47(ER) is being procured with full air‑to‑air refuelling receiver capability. On current plans, refuelling support will be provided by the U.S. KC‑130.