Written questions by Francois.

If he will set out what (a) technical and (b) management issues are causing the delay in the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft WT001 flight test programme; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the late-2025 in-service date is achieved.

The Wedgetail programme has already completed three test flights and will continue to undertake comprehensive ground and flight tests throughout 2025 to achieve the approved In-Service Date. Engagement continues with Boeing and the Ministry of Defence to ensure the In-Service Date is achieved.

Whether the Royal Air Force plans to (a) reconsider its procurement strategy and (b) evaluate the acquisition of the E-2D Hawkeye to replace or supplement its existing E-7 Wedgetail fleet, in the context of the US Air Force's decision to procure the E-2D Hawkeye instead of the E-7 Wedgetail for airborne early warning and control capabilities,.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with its procurement of E-7 Wedgetail in order to meet the national and NATO requirements for an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) capability which is interoperable with its allies.As highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review, AEWC aircraft provide significant advantages in warfighting, such as more persistent deep strike options.

Whether he considered including a new medium helicopter programme within the Strategic Defence Review; and whether he plans to implement such a programme.

There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a complaint against Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba on the storage of nuclear weapons on Diego Garcia; and whether the UK would cooperate with inspections of the base under that treaty.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54676 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether the UK will ensure (a) its storage of nuclear weapons at the base and (b) all other operations on Diego Garcia comply with Mauritius’ (i) current and (ii) future international law obligations under the (A) Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, (B) Treaty of Pelindaba and (C) Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan 2025-2027.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex IV of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the average annual cost to the public purse of legal cases heard through the arbitration mechanism; and whether he has had discussions with (a) UK and (b) other lawyers on joining the tribunal.

Details of the arbitration mechanism, including the identities of arbitrators, will be agreed with Mauritius through the Joint Commission.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), which international court has jurisdiction on whether UK/US operations in Diego Garcia are in accordance with Mauritius’ membership of the Treaty of Pelindaba.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his PQ 54633.

When he plans to answer Question (a) 56739, (b) 56740 and (c) 56741 on Strategic Defence Review, tabled on 3 June 2025.

I responded to the right hon. Member's Questions 56739 and 56740 on 11 June 2025 and to Question 56741 on 10 June 2025.

How many (a) industry bodies, (b) defence industry companies, (c) media organisations, (d) trade associations, (e) think tanks and (f) other non-Government (i) bodies and (ii) people were given access to the Strategic Defence Review 2025 before 9.00am on 2 June 2025.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take legislative steps to support the implementation of the Chagos deal.

Section 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum sets out the process for Treaty implementation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the planned £6 billion of new efficiencies this Parliament on existing defence (a) programmes and (b) capabilities.

We will deliver nearly £6 billion of new savings over the course of this Parliament through efficiency and productivity savings, civilian workforce changes, structural simplification and contractual efficiencies. As we are focusing on delivering savings through increased efficiency and productivity, we expect to minimise any capability impacts.Alongside the Defence Investment Plan later this year, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will publish a Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, which will provide further detail on the range of reforms across the MOD which will deliver these efficiencies.

Whether he is taking steps to investigate a potential breach of paragraph 9.1 of the Ministerial Code in relation to the publication of unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review to (a) people and (b) companies before Members of Parliament on 2 June 2025.

I refer to the statement made to the House by the Leader of the House of Commons on 2 June 2025.

What steps he took to ensure that the early release of unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, to (a) people and (b) companies did not result in market-sensitive information being used for commercial advantage.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews.

Whether any (a) people or (b) companies who received unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review on 02 June 2025 were required to sign non-disclosure agreements prior to receipt.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews.

What criteria were used to determine which (a) peple and (b) companies were granted access to unredacted hard copies of the Strategic Defence Review on 2 June 2025.

For the launch of the Strategic Defence Review, the Government offered embargoed briefings to our people and senior defence leaders, plus certain Parliamentarians, trade unions, businesses, allies and media. This was broadly consistent with the approach for previous defence reviews.

With reference to Article 2 of the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to put in place (a) further provisions and (b) enforcement mechanisms to ensure that Mauritius cannot impose restrictions on the right to operate the Diego Garcia base following the sovereignty transfer.

The United Kingdom will have full control and responsibility for the defence and security of Diego Garcia. Mauritius has a legally binding obligation under the treaty to not undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base. Any future issues that may arise throughout the duration of the treaty shall be resolved through the Joint Commission, as described in Annex 3.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 14(1)(h) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what the (a) functions and (b) authority of the Joint Commission will be in resolving disputes on the interpretation of the Agreement.

Article 14 of the Treaty sets out the role of the Joint Commission in resolving disputes while Annex 3 paragraph 6 sets out the functions of the Joint Commission. All decisions of the Joint Commission require the agreement of both parties.

With reference the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to take steps with the government of Mauritius to help ensure the Diego Garcia Ramsar Convention site is protected without compromising military activities.

The Diego Garcia Ramsar Convention site is currently protected without compromising military activities. There will be no change to this once the agreement comes into force. The agreement provides an obligation to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base. The UK will control access to and administration of Diego Garcia, in light of this obligation, and the Exchange of Letters on International Organisations provides that United Kingdom retains responsibility for the environmental protection of the Ramsar site in accordance with the site’s Management Plan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 8 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to ensure investigations by the Government of Mauritius of criminal offences do not compromise classified military operations in Diego Garcia as defined by Article 19 of the Agreement.

Article 3(2) of the treaty clearly states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. This will ensure that military operations are not compromised in any way. Additionally, by ensuring Mauritius has jurisdiction over any future illegal migration, it will close off a dangerous immigration route.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11(1)(h) of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what data sources he plans to use to apply the Gross Domestic Product Deflator to adjust annual payments from the fourteenth year onward; what his planned timetable is for making adjustments; and what mechanisms are in place to adjust for significant economic fluctuations.

As stated in the Finance Exchange of Letters, all annual payments from the 14th year onwards shall be the value of the preceding annual payment adjusted for inflation using the Gross Domestic Product ("GDP") Deflator for the preceding calendar year, as published by the UK Government.