Written questions by Francois.

When he plans to answer Question 59988, tabled on 16 June 2025.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 3 July 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the refit of RFA Lyme Bay on the operational capability of the Royal Marines; and what steps he is taking to ensure the Royal Marines’ amphibious capabilities are maintained until Multi-Role Support Ships enter service.

RFA LYME BAY is undergoing routine planned maintenance to ensure continued sustainability for operations. Royal Marines operations continue to be supported by the remainder of the amphibious fleet. These ships will continue to support amphibious capabilities until the Multi Role Strike Ship enters service in the early 2030s.

What progress his Department has made on bringing forward regulations to implement the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023.

Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Departmental priorities around veterans, which include the new VALOUR initiative, and recruitment remains paused for the present. Regarding support for veterans residing in Northern Ireland, we continue to build on the effective collaborative between the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office, including enhancing partnerships with the wider veteran support system, such as the Thrive Together programme led by Brooke House.

For what reasons the recruitment of new members to the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees has been paused; and what plans he has to restart that process.

Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Departmental priorities around veterans, which include the new VALOUR initiative, and recruitment remains paused for the present. Regarding support for veterans residing in Northern Ireland, we continue to build on the effective collaborative between the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office, including enhancing partnerships with the wider veteran support system, such as the Thrive Together programme led by Brooke House.

When he plans to appoint a new Chair of the Northern Ireland Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that veterans in Northern Ireland receive parity of support with veterans in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Departmental priorities around veterans, which include the new VALOUR initiative, and recruitment remains paused for the present. Regarding support for veterans residing in Northern Ireland, we continue to build on the effective collaborative between the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office, including enhancing partnerships with the wider veteran support system, such as the Thrive Together programme led by Brooke House.

What steps he plans to take ensure that independent oversight is provided for the activities of the VALOUR Team; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of that oversight on tackling regional variations in support for veterans.

The structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR are currently being developed and will also be informed by lessons learned during the Northern pilot announced last week. It will not be a service that is a blueprint for everyone, but we will take the geographical differences into account and ensure that it is fit for purpose so that our veterans are given the deal that they deserve. This will be an institutionally resilient system that will reform the system at the local, the regional, and the national level, ensuring that support is available across the country, and that it is tailored to the needs of veterans in the communities where they live. As a Minister, I am accountable to Parliament for relevant veterans' issues including those led by the Ministry of Defence such as the delivery of VALOUR.

What assessment his Department has made of the ability of Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees to fulfil their statutory functions under the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023 prior to the commencement of the relevant provisions of that Act.

Ministry of Defence officials are currently working through the latest advice that the Veterans Advisory and Pension Committees have provided, for which I am most grateful. We are currently considering their functions and activity against wider Departmental priorities around veterans, which include the new VALOUR initiative, and recruitment remains paused for the present. Regarding support for veterans residing in Northern Ireland, we continue to build on the effective collaborative between the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner’s Office, including enhancing partnerships with the wider veteran support system, such as the Thrive Together programme led by Brooke House.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 61499 on RAF Brize Norton: Security, which (a) agency or (b) organisation was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

The Royal Air Force Police and Military Provost Guard Service are responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton. This is a part of the multilayered approach to security across the site. The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues and the Defence Secretary has ordered that a full security review be conducted at pace, not only at Brize, but across the defence estate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 60432 on Ajax Vehicles, if she will list the journalists invited to Bovington to (a) attend and (b) observe activities relating to the Ajax armoured vehicle programme since 1 February 2025.

Journalists are routinely present at events where Ajax is demonstrated and/or discussed. Ajax is currently in the manufacturing and fielding platforms to the Army phase of the programme. Since 1 February 2025, there have been no Ajax-specific events to which to invite journalists.

When he plans to answer Question (a) 59988 on Grumman E-2 Hawkeye: Procurement, (b) 59989 on Boeing E-7: Procurement, (c) 59990 on Boeing E-7: Procurement and (d) 59991 on Boeing E-7: Cost Effectiveness, tabled on 16 June 2025.

I responded to the right hon. Member’s Questions 59990 and 59991 on 26 June 2025 and I will respond to Questions 59988 and 59989 shortly.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of vandalism at RAF Brize Norton on its (a) air-to-air refuelling and (b) transport capabilities.

The incident did not affect RAF operational output. All flights have gone ahead as planned using alternative aircraft. Personnel at RAF Brize Norton continue to provide rapid global mobility and air to air refuelling capability, in support of operations and exercises worldwide. The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues.

If he will establish an inquiry into the adequacy of the security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton.

As I announced in my statement to the House on Monday 23 June 2025, that I believe the right hon. Gentleman was present for, a full security review is underway at RAF Brize Norton with additional reviews across the Defence Estate.

What steps he is taking to prevent (a) trespass and (b) vandalism at (i) RAF Brize Norton and (ii) other Ministry of Defence sites designated as protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

As per my statement on Monday 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The SDR identified Brize Norton as needing investment. After many years of under-investment and hollowing out under the previous administration, we have identified this as an area requiring greater focus. Immediate measures were put in place following the incident to enhance existing security arrangements at RAF Brize Norton, with increased vigilance at all other sites. You will appreciate that we will not comment on the specifics of those arrangements. We have also directed a full review of security arrangements across all Defence sites. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

What the (a) make and (b) name was of each aircraft affected by the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

The two aircraft targeted in the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025 are both RAF Voyagers. Due to operational security reasons, I hope the Rt hon. Gentleman will understand that we will not be able to confirm the names of the aircraft involved.

Whether the Ministry of Defence Police was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

No.

With reference to Q11 of the oral evidence given by Professor Philippe Sands to the International Relations and Defence Committee in the House of Lords on 11 June 2025, whether Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework ensures that notification to Mauritius should be given (a) before or (b) after any armed attack on a third state directly emanating from the base on Diego Garcia; and whether they have undertaken any legal preparation for a potential challenge to this interpretation.

It is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. As I have explained to the right hon. Gentleman before, Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the Chagos Archipelago treaty, once it has entered into force, will not require prior notification and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information.

Whether Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025] would require the Government to block the US from using the Base on Diego Garcia if the Attorney General ruled that its use would not be in compliance with international law.

All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia. Article 4 of the treaty reflects the existing UK position.

With reference to Article 4 of the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Mauritius invoking international law on military activities on Diego Garcia.

All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia. Article 4 of the treaty reflects the existing UK position.

Whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanating from Diego Garcia under Paragraph 1 (b) (i) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025).

The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, once it has entered into force, does not require prior notification and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information.

With reference to paragraph 1(b)(i) of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, whether he has notified Mauritius of any impending armed attack on a third state emanating from Diego Garcia.

The Chagos Archipelago Treaty has not entered into force, and as such standard operating protocols apply. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57298 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge); the treaty, once it has entered into force, does not require prior notification and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information.