Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 402 · Ministry of Defence
Who the most senior legal official is in his Department.
There are four senior legal officials in Defence. The highest-ranking legal advisers are: Director Army Legal Services (Major General) Director Legal Services, Royal Air Force (Air Vice Marshal) Director Legal for the Royal Navy (Commodore)Director MOD Legal Advisers (Civil Service Director, SCS2)
What is the total target for efficiency savings in his Department for a) Financial Year 2025-26 b) Financial Year 2026-27 and c) Financial Year 2027-28.
Following the Spending Review in June all Departments, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), are required to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028‑29. Further details can be found in the Spending Review, published on 11 June.The Autumn Budget introduced a further 2028-29 0.5% RDEL efficiencies and savings target. However, Defence has been allowed to retain and reinvest the savings to protect national security.The MOD will publish a Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, which will provide further detail on the range of reforms across the MOD that will deliver these efficiencies.
Whether the National Armaments Director was consulted prior to the decision to declare IOC for Ajax.
As safety is the top priority of the Ministerial Team, prior to Initial Operating Capability, I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel that the system was safe, including the National Armaments Director.
When he now intends to publish the Defence Investment Plan.
We are working flat out between now and the end of the year to finalise the Defence Investment Plan. I am sure the Hon. Gentleman will appreciate the scale of the decisions that we need to make. He will also appreciate the scale of the problems that we face, including those to do with a programme of the last Government’s that over-committed, and was underfunded and unsuited to meeting the threats that we will face in the future.
Whether any performance bonuses relating to the Ajax programme have been paid to officials in his Department over the last three years.
This information is not held centrally and therefore can not be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
How many Warrior armoured fighting vehicles are a) in active service with the Army and b) in storage by variant.
I hope the right hon. Member will understand that we do not routinely disclose figures relating to vehicles in the active fleet or storage in the interests of security and operational effectiveness. I can, however, confirm that as at 12 January 2026, there are 581 Warrior vehicles in-service with the British Army.
How many Ajax armoured vehicles had been delivered by General Dynamics to a) his Department and b) the Army as of 1 November 2025.
As of 1 November 2025: 166 Capability Drop 3 platforms were accepted by the Ministry of Defence and 156 of these were delivered to the Army.
What the latest estimated date is for achieving Full Operating Capability on Ajax.
Safety investigations and a Ministerial Review into the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) remain ongoing. However, on current plans, Full Operating Capability for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is still expected to be achieved by the end of 2029.
If he will list the names of those who have held the post of Ajax's Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), or the equivalent position, since 2015.
The list of individuals who have held the role of Senior Responsible Officer for the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) are listed below. Date in postOccupantNovember 2023 – PresentMr Chris BowbrickOctober 2021 – November 2023Dr David MarshApril 2019 – August 2021Lieutenant General Simon HamiltonNovember 2015 – April 2019Major General Mark Gaunt
If he will publish all documents provided by the current Senior Reporting Office regarding Ajax’s safety.
The Senior Reporting Officer regularly provides updates to Defence Ministers on the programme. However, this Government, and the last Government, do not routinely release information provided from officials to ministers. But I can assure the Hon Gentleman that Before declaring Initial Operating Capability, I received written assurances from CGS and the acting NAD that the vehicle was safe to operate. Within the letter note AJAX the vehicle was described as ‘demonstrably safe to operate”. When concerns were raised in the summer, an independent Army investigation confirmed the vehicle was fit for purpose and operating well within Health and Safety Executive limits for noise and vibration.
What bonuses were paid to the Ajax team at Defence Equipment and Support over the past 5 years.
Due to Defence Equipment and Support's flexible resourcing model, performance awards would have been made on an individual basis and as a result of overall organisational performance, rather than solely on the outcomes of a specific programme.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77476 on Boxer Vehicles: Repairs and Maintenance, when the review of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme’s Initial Operating Capability will be completed; and if he will provide an update to the House once that review has concluded.
The review of the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme’s Initial Operating Capability schedule has been completed and is progressing through the Ministry of Defence Approvals process.
Whether any personnel have reported medial issues arising from their involvement with the Ajax programme in the last six months.
As a former Defence Minister he will know that Army personnel routinely report a range of medical issues from business-as-usual training activity, this includes soldiers operating Ajax. The Ajax Safe System of Work ensures there is a safe working environment for all Ajax users.
Whether Challenger 3 in battlefield configuration has exceeded its maximum weight limit.
The Challenger 3 tank is being designed to meet its weight requirement.
Who holds the role of Senior Safety Responsibility Officer for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.
The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is Mr Chris Bowbrick. The Senior Safety Responsible Officer position within Defece Equipment and Support is filled by a Senior Professional Engineer. As a former Defence Minister he will recall that it is not Ministry of Defence policy to name Civil Servants below Senior Civil Service 1* grades. It is however, worth noting that the Armoured Cavalry Programme SRO is formally accountable for the overall safety of the programme.
When (a) he, (b) the Minister for Defence Procurement, (c) the Chief of the General Staff and (d) the National Armoured Director last received an update on progress of the Ajax vehicle trials.
Delivery of Ajax remains a high priority for defence. Senior stakeholders continue to receive regular updates regarding the Armoured Cavalry Programme through standard reporting processes, and all have been updated within the last four weeks.
Who holds the role of Senior Responsible Owner for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.
The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is Mr Chris Bowbrick. The Senior Safety Responsible Officer position within Defece Equipment and Support is filled by a Senior Professional Engineer. As a former Defence Minister he will recall that it is not Ministry of Defence policy to name Civil Servants below Senior Civil Service 1* grades. It is however, worth noting that the Armoured Cavalry Programme SRO is formally accountable for the overall safety of the programme.
Whether his Department held any meetings with Lord Peter Mandelson on the (a) procurement and (b) purchasing of American military equipment.
As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.
When the Boxer armoured vehicle programme is expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability.
The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly. The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines. Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units. Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.
Whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department have corresponded with Lord Mandelson on the acquisition of US-manufactured defence equipment.
As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.