Written questions by Lewis.

If he will ensure that the MOD Defence Medical Service updates its policy on Mefloquine-damaged veterans to (a) acknowledge the recent confirmation by NHS England that Mefloquine neurotoxicity (i) exists and (ii) requires clinical management, (b) accept that misdiagnosis of Mefloquine-damaged veterans as having PTSD can lead to the prescribing of inappropriate psychiatric medication (A) leading to serious worsening of their condition and (B) impeding the search for effective treatment of brain damage caused by Mefloquine, and (c) develop a communications strategy, in conjunction with other relevant MOD bodies and the NHS, to make veterans and GPs aware that veterans presenting with suicidal ideation should routinely be checked for exposure to Mefloquine during their past service in the armed forces.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has met with Fighting with Pride to discuss the operation of the Financial Recognition Scheme.

Awaiting answer.

If he will make it his policy to include within the Financial Recognition Scheme ("FRS") those veterans who resigned from the armed forces as a result of pressure to do so on account of their sexual orientation; if he will ensure that Subject Access Requests by such veterans for their Service Records will be prioritised in time to meet the FRS application deadline of 12 December 2026; and what provisions he will make for the proper consideration of applications by such veterans to the FRS whose relevant contemporary documentation has been destroyed by his Department.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of whether the Independent Impact Panel has sufficient capacity to determine all outstanding claims, before the Financial Recognition Scheme closes, made by veterans pressured into leaving the armed forces on account of their sexuality.

Awaiting answer.

What guidance his Department has provided to the NHS on appropriate treatment for former Service personnel presenting with suicidal ideation resulting from brain injury caused by neurological side-effects of Lari

Mefloquine, trade name Lariam, is recommended as an effective anti-malarial by international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the National Health Service both follow National Institute for Care and Ex...

With reference to the Fourth Report of the Defence Committee of Session 2014-15 entitled An acceptable risk? The use of Lariam for military personnel, HC 567, published on 10 May 2016, how many Service personnel

The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of prescriptions for mefloquine (also known as Larium) given to UK armed forces personnel at Ministry of Defence medical facilities since 12 September 2016. The full releas...

When he plans to publish the results of his Department's research study number 713/MoDREC/15 on anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis, including Lariam (Mefloquine).

The Defence Committee Report (HC567) made a series of recommendations on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) use of mefloquine (trade name Lariam), individual risk assessments, research undertaken research on mefloquine, and comparisons with the use of mefloqui...

What steps have (a) the Surgeon General’s Office and (b) the Ministry of Defence more widely taken as a result of the 2016 recommendations of the Defence Committee report (HC567) on its inquiry into the harmful e

The Defence Committee Report (HC567) made a series of recommendations on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) use of mefloquine (trade name Lariam), individual risk assessments, research undertaken research on mefloquine, and comparisons with the use of mefloqui...

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on the Chagos Islands of the joint naval exercises undertaken by South Africa with (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) other BRICS partners in South African waters in January 2026.

There are no implications for the Ministry of Defence's policy on the Chagos Islands of South Africa's joint naval exercises in its waters.

When Ministers were first made aware of documents (a) confirming abnormal levels of radiation in fish near UK atomic test sites in the Pacific and (b) advising that their contents are incompatible with official statements previously submitted in court cases brought on behalf of nuclear test veterans; and what action they took.

I was first made aware of the unfinished draft document relating to historic nuclear testing at Christmas Island in December 2025. Following the release of the draft document by AWE, I wrote to interested MPs and LABRATS advising them of its release and explaining its contents on 2 March 2026.

If he will take steps to acquire from Ukraine (a) cheap anti-drone military assets and (b) instruction in maximising their effective operation in order to augment the protection of United Kingdom and allied personnel in the Middle East.

This continues to be an extremely challenging and unsettling time for many across the Middle East. The UK condemns Iran’s role in attempting to draw the region into a wider conflict. Our first priority is to protect British nationals, British interests and our partners. We support action that will help bring a swift resolution to this conflict, and an end to Iran's reckless and escalatory response. I will not go into operational details but let us be clear, Iran has continued to support Russia in its on-going illegal war on Ukraine including through supplying unmanned aerial systems – like those now being used to target our Middle East partners. We will continue to do all we can to ensure the protection of United Kingdom and allied personnel in the region The Minister for Defence Readiness & Industry has been engaging with industry on how the UK can further support partners in the region.

For what reason Question 113434 on UNCLOS and the Chagos Islands, tabled on 12 February for answer on 25 February 2026, has not been answered; and when he plans to answer it.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 4 March 2026.

If he will make it his policy to apply the principle of constructive dismissal, when applying the provisions of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS), to veterans who resigned from the armed forces after being questioned about their sexual orientation and before they could be dismissed.

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) was designed to address the broadest range of experiences possible to ensure the inclusion of, and a sense of closure for, all affected by the Ban. There are therefore two types of payment available under the FRS. Those who were dismissed or administratively discharged from Service because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity are able to apply for the Dismissed and Discharged Payment. Those who felt or experienced pressure to resign after being questioned, investigated or otherwise subject to other unacceptable experiences are able to apply instead for the Impact Payment. Applications for the Impact Payment are determined by the Independent Panel, which is able to consider all the available evidence, including the veteran's testimony, and award a payment based on the severity of the impact the applicant experienced.

With reference to his oral contribution in response to the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East during the Oral Statement of 22 May 2025 on Diego Garcia Military Base, Official Report, column 1291, if it remains his position that the most proximate and most potentially serious legal threat that could undermine the operations of the Diego Garcia military base is an adverse ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

We have always been clear that, if a long-term deal was not reached, there was a risk of further litigation being brought rapidly which could have had serious implications for the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia. There are various avenues through which Mauritius could pursue a legally binding ruling, including under dispute provisions of treaties to which both States are parties or further arbitral proceedings against the UK under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ("UNCLOS"). A ruling from such an arbitral tribunal would be legally binding on the parties to it.

What steps he has taken with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure that NHS practitioners are informed of the vulnerability to suicidal ideation of veterans impacted by Lariam; and what steps veterans can take with his Department to help improve awareness within the NHS of the nature and effects of mefloquine toxicity.

Mefloquine is recommended as an effective anti-malarial by international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the National Health Service both follow National Institute for Care and Excellence guidelines on the prescription and management of side effects associated with mefloquine. The MOD is engaged with NHS England (NHSE) through the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group. This group has recently reviewed the clinical management of the side effects associated with mefloquine. As symptoms can resemble acute psychiatric conditions, clinicians are advised to assess patients individually and are expected to take a full drug and alcohol history, including any previous mefloquine use. In England, Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE provide a broad range of specialist mental health, physical and wellbeing care services to veterans, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 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, the Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. The side effects that may be experienced whilst taking, or with a history of having taken mefloquine, will be treated according to the diagnosis; for example, if the patient is experiencing depressive symptoms, the treatment for depression will be instigated.

Further to his oral statement of 7 January 2026 on Ukraine, whether the multinational force to be led by the UK and France would be be deployed to Ukraine (a) as part of a ceasefire agreement or (b) only after a peace agreement.

The Multinational Force Ukraine will only deploy following a cessation in hostilities. We are preparing to move at pace—but no troops will deploy unless and until the conditions are right. As stated by the Prime Minister, if there were a decision to deploy UK Armed Forces in line with the Declaration of Intent signed on the 6 January 2026, the matter would be put to the House for a debate and a vote on that deployment. Detailed military planning continues to be focused on building a force that is able to flex to the requirements of any ceasefire arrangement and ensure Ukraine’s Armed Forces are able to regenerate to defend Ukraine and support European security for generations to come.

What steps he is taking enable veterans who were dismissed from the Armed Forces on the basis of their sexuality to have their service records amended to reflect their treatment.

Service personnel who were dismissed from the Armed Forces on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, can apply to have their discharge qualified. This qualification of administrative discharge will set right the records of Veterans who were administratively discharged under the ban in place between 1967 and 2000, as well as those discharged prior to 1967 due to historic law. The qualification of administrative discharge addresses recommendation 26 of Lord Etherton’s Independent Review and serves to remove any dishonour from their Service files and recognises that their discharge was wrong. Personnel who were administratively discharged following conviction/s for same-sex sexual offences will first need to apply for a disregard of their conviction/s through the Home Office’s Disregard and Pardon scheme. More information about the qualification of administrative discharge can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps

For what reason the personal file (PF44288) relating to Major General JFC Fuller has not been made available by his Department for release to the National Archives.

Under the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Service Records Project approximately 10 million Service records of personnel with a date of birth prior to 1 January 1939, are in the process of being transferred from the MOD to The National Archives for permanent preservation. Service Records pertaining to Officers are yet to be transferred. A copy of Major General JFC Fuller’s Service Record can be requested through the following link: Get a copy of military records of service: Apply for the records of a deceased serviceperson - GOV.UK

For what reason the contract to build small craft to support the Royal Navy was awarded to a foreign shipbuilder; and what British-based firms competing for that contract had their bids rejected.

The contract in question is a sub-contract awarded by Serco to procure 24 new vessels for the Royal Navy. This sub-contract is part of the Defence Marine Services In-Port Services contract between the Ministry of Defence and Serco, and accounts for less than 25% of the total contract value. The In-Port Services contract was sourced via a competitive tender process; however, Serco was the only tenderer to submit a bid. In accordance with the legislation in force at the time, Serco was free to select its sub-contractors, and the Ministry of Defence was not permitted under this legislation to require Serco to discriminate on grounds of nationality.

What recent estimate his Department has made of the numbers of Afghan (a) interpreters and (b) other personnel, who assisted UK armed forces and remain at risk from the Taliban whilst stranded in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) neighbouring countries, following the closure of UK resettlement schemes; and what legal routes will continue to exist for such individuals to seek safety.

The Government does not hold an estimate of the total number of people who may have been eligible for ARAP but did not apply. ARAP is a well-known scheme amongst the Afghan communities and has seen over 190,000 applications since it was opened in April 2021. Our assessment that the majority of those likely to be found eligible had already applied has been deduced from the fact that over the past two years, 95% of applications to the ARAP scheme have been found ineligible. The period following the first 12 months after Operation PITTING in Aug 2021 saw ineligible decisions begin to significantly overtake eligible ones. This trend has continued consistently to July 2025, when the ARAP scheme was shut to new applications. Individuals wishing to relocate to the UK can find further information online. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/illegal-migration-bill-factsheets/safe-and-legal-routes#what-safe-and-legal-routes-does-the-uk-offer