Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 341–360 of 402 · Ministry of Defence
Whether he is taking steps to establish pathways for veterans in Northern Ireland to access healthcare services in Great Britain where suitable care is unavailable locally.
The Government is committed to ensuring that veterans are able to access appropriate support wherever they live in the UK and is working to coordinate and cohere the range of support available, including in Northern Ireland, more effectively. I would like...
If he will review the pay structures and conditions of employment for Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel to ensure alignment with inflation and comparable roles within the armed forces.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel.We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the current pay dispute.As these negotiations are ongoin...
What his long-term strategy is to help tackle (a) recruitment and (b) retention challenges within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, in the context of the ongoing pay dispute.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the ongoing pay dispute.As well as working to resolve t...
What discussions his Department has had with representatives of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel on their concerns over pay and working conditions; and what his planned timeline is for resolving these issues.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel.We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the current pay dispute.As these negotiations are ongoin...
What his planned the timeline is for delivering 12 additional Typhoon jets to Qatar; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this timeline on ongoing production commitments for other customer
Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence ...
How many operational missions involving the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been affected by the current pay dispute; and what contingency plans are in place to mitigate disruptions.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary remains essential in supporting operations alongside the Royal Navy and our global allies. They continue to meet their operational commitments, and we are dedicated to resolving this dispute through ongoing dialogue with their tr...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the production of 12 additional Typhoon jets for Qatar on the defence supply chain.
Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence ...
Whether his Department has agreed a provisional timeline with Qatar for the (a) signing and (b) delivery of the 12 additional Typhoon jets.
Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence ...
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16457 on Puma Helicopters, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of fulfilling the short-term capability gaps in (a) Cyprus and (b) Brunei prior t
The Department is scoping a variety of options to fulfil the short-term capability gaps before H-145 enters service from 2026. A final decision is yet to be made on the specific capability solution; thus we are not yet able to disclose our proposed capabi...
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the cost is of the Morpheus communications programme as of 5 December 2024.
As of 5 December 2024, total expenditure for the MORPHEUS project is c£828 million.
Whether his Department has imposed (a) financial penalties and (b) adjustments to contract terms with General Dynamics in relation to the delay of the MORPHEUS project within the Land Environment Tactical Communi
The MORPHEUS Evolve to Open Transition Partner (EvO TP) contract with General Dynamics Missions Systems (UK) (GDMS(UK)), which was focused on evolving the proprietary Bowman system, was concluded in December 2023. Commercial confidentiality precludes prov...
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he Mauritian government may permit foreign direct investment into the Chagos islands.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the agreement covers the employment of third country nationals on the base on Diego Garcia.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the agreement covers the employment of descendants of Chagos islanders on the base on Diego Garci
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16455 on Nuclear-free Zones: Treaties, whether talks between the UK and Mauritius covered the obligations of Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what right of access to BIOT territorial waters will be permitted to third parties.
Our primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The operation of the base will continue unchanged with strong protections from malign...
How many staff at what grades are reviewing engagement with the EU through PESCO.
As part of the Cabinet Office-led UK-EU reset, teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are working closely with teams across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to work collaboratively to build our defence relationship with the EU including co...
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October to Question 5333 on Defence: Procurement, what other projects which align with UK interests his Department is exploring on a project-by-project basis.
We want a new geopolitical partnership with the EU, that drives closer coordination and that complements our unshakeable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security. We will continue to monitor EU defence initiatives a...
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the reasons are for the delay in the Morpheus communications project.
The MORPHEUS project is delayed following contract delays in 2021.
Whether his Department is holding discussions with (a) European and (b) EU counterparts on changes to binding PESCO commitments.
We continue to monitor how PESCO rules work in practice, in particular the extent to which they allow meaningful participation of non-EU NATO Allies. We will continue to encourage the EU and EU Member States to ensure that PESCO activity is complementary ...