Written questions by Francois.

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 Communication and Information Systems programme.

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 providing the specific details of the arrangements made, however the Department can provide assurance that these arrangements have been verified by both HM Treasury and Cabinet Office as representing the best value for money approach for the taxpayer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the Mauritian government will have the right to allow (a) basing on, (b) occupancy of and (c) access to other BIOT islands by other (i) countries and (ii) organisations.

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 influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. We have full Mauritian backing for robust security arrangements, including preventing foreign armed forces from accessing or establishing themselves on the outer islands. 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 (a) access, (b) inspection and (c) veto the Mauritian Government will have to the Chagos base.

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 influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure.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 (a) assets and (b) staff of the Mauritian armed forces will be (i) proximately and (ii) co- located with (A) UK and (B) US personnel.

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 influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure.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.

What his policy is on legacy UK obligations arising from the triggering by an EU country of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union.

Since leaving the EU, there are no legacy UK obligations to respond to a trigger of Article 42 (7). NATO is the cornerstone of European defence. NATO Article 5 is the ultimate guarantor of all Allies’ ability to live freely and build a secure, more prosperous future for their people. An armed attack against one Ally is considered an attack against all. This principle binds NATO’s members together in a spirit of solidarity, committing them to protect each other. Our commitment to Article 5 is real, strong, and unbreakable.

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 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.

Whether his Department is involved in the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at Thales UK.

The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.

Whether Thales products used by his Department are directly implicated in the Serious Fraud Office investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at that company.

The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.

What steps whether he has made an assessment of the potential (a) legal and (b) financial implications for his Department of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at Thales UK.

The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at Thales UK on defence procurement contracts with that company.

The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.

What performance reviews have been conducted on Capita’s role in the recruitment of military personnel in the last five years.

The Army reviews Capita’s performance through multiple routine ‘holding-to-account’ forums and reports, as set out in the Recruitment Partnering Programme contract. This includes monthly measurement against key performance indicators. Additional performance audit reviews, directed by the previous Secretary of State, were conducted in May/June 2021 and July/August 2023.

Whether he plans to publish a Command Paper on implementation of the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review will report in the first half of 2025. The Department is preparing for its implementation.

What assessment he has made of the role Capita's (a) systems and (b) processes played in the security failings that allowed Daniel Khalife to escape; and whether he plans to review Capita's contract with his Department.

Security measures in relation to the prison estate are a matter for the Ministry of Justice. The Secretary of State commissioned performance reviews of Capita which were completed March and September 2024.

With reference to paragraph 5.52 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, what guidance his Department issues on whether nominees of deceased Armed Forces Pension Scheme members other than spouses and civil partners will become liable for inheritance tax on death in service lump sums.

Inheritance Tax on pensions is subject to a technical consultation which runs between 30 October 2024 and 22 January 2025. The Ministry of Defence will follow legislation as per Government proposals.

How many vacancies there are for (a) engineers, (b) submariners and (c) other critical roles in the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy continues to fill the highest priority roles first in accordance with current and future output requirements. Where demand exceeds supply, the Royal Navy and employers actively prioritise where personnel are assigned. Due to operational security, The Royal Navy does not comment on the number of specific vacancies for critical roles.

When he plans to publish the Strategic Defence Review.

As previously announced by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons, the Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Defence in the Spring of 2025. The Secretary of State for Defence will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of maintaining sovereign capability in the (a) production and (b) sustainment of the Hawk aircraft; and what the estimate he has made of the economic impact of that capability on the defence industry.

The Hawk T1 aircraft is scheduled to remain in service until 2030 and the Hawk T2 aircraft out-of-service date is in 2040. A decision on the production, sustainment and replacement of the aircraft will not be taken until after the Strategic Defence Review is completed.

What the timeline is for the delivery of the Mobile Fires Platform; and what the potential impact is of delays to the programme on the Army’s long-range artillery capabilities.

The Mobile Fires Platform will deliver the Army's Close Support Fires capability. The project aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade and will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System through a collaborative procurement with Germany. The project is in its assessment phase and a timeline or definition of MDC is yet to be determined, both of which will be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The Army is currently undergoing a combined programme of work to ensure our Land Forces will have the lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary. Whilst the Army's modernisation will continue over the next decade with a programme of investment worth billions of pounds, future capability development priorities, including long-range artillery capabilities, will be guided by the SDR.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Capita’s performance on delivering defence related contacts; and what assessment he has made of the value for money of these contracts.

The performance of all the Ministry of Defence's suppliers is continually assessed on a project by project basis as part of the Department's contract management activities. As a strategic supplier to the UK Government, Capita participates in the Cabinet Office Strategic Partnering Programme which employs an innovative partnering approach to improve performance and value for money in existing contracts.

What the cost has been of delivering the Military Flying Training System since its inception; and whether the programme is on track to meet its operational target.

The cost of delivering the UKMFTS since its inception has been £2.2 billion, with the programme continuing to deliver trained UK military pilots to meet the requirements of the Front Line Operational Conversion Unit. Incremental growth is planned in line with the Front Line Command requirements out to the contract end date in 2033.