Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 321–340 of 597 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Philippe Sands and (b) Dapo Akande have provided external legal advice to his Department since 4 July 2024.
It is not normal practice to comment on the provision of external legal advice. However, in this case we can confirm that neither Philippe Sands KC nor Professor Dapo Akande have provided external legal advice to the FCDO since 4 July 2024.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria was used to select Dapo Akande KC to represent Britain at the International Court of Justice in the 2026 election.
Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration from each contracting State form "National Groups". Under the International Court of Justice (ICJ) statute, national groups are entitled to nominate candidates for election to the ICJ and should consult its highest court of justice and academia before doing so.The independent UK National Group intends to nominate Professor Dapo Akande as the UK candidate for the 2026 ICJ election. Professor Akande was selected following a robust selection process based on merit which is independent of Government.The UK Government is delighted to support Professor Dapo Akande's nomination. Professor Akande is an elected member of the International Law Commission and a renowned legal scholar and practitioner. He is an outstanding candidate who would make a formidable judge on the ICJ. Professor Akande's nomination reflects the UK's firm commitment to international justice, human rights and the international rule of law.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the Chagos Islands agreement was not finalised in early March 2025.
I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to his previous Question 41388, which remains the same.
What recent progress has been made on the development of the Enhanced Kinetic Energy round for the Challenger 3; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure its lethality matches that of the depleted uranium rounds used with the Challenger 2.
The qualification of selected Enhanced Kinetic Energy ammunition has already started under a bilateral UK-Germany programme. This ammunition will deliver a significant enhancement to the lethality provided by the current ammunition of Challenger 2.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of retiring HMS Northumberland on the Royal Navy’s operational capacity; and what steps he is taking to support the Royal Navy until the Type 26 frigates are delivered.
I refer the right hon. Member to the response provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard) to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 10 December 2024 to Question 17147.
What recent estimate he has made of the total cost of the Challenger 3 programme which include budget increases due to (a) technical challenges or (b) inflation; and how this aligns with the original £800 million contract awarded to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land in 2021.
There have not been any increases to the total budget for the Armour Main Battle Tank programme due to technical challenges or inflation. The Approved Budgetary Level for the programme remains £1.9 billion and includes the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land contract.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the Challenger 3 remains competitive against (a) Russia’s T-14 Armata and (b) other emerging threats; and whether he plans to upgrade the (i) firepower and (ii) protection systems of the Challenger 3 beyond existing specifications by 2030.
The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank will deliver a significant improvement in capability over its predecessor, the Challenger 2. Enhancements include a digitalised turret fitted with the latest 120mm smoothbore gun paired with the most lethal ammunition available; world-class UK-designed armour and an Active Protection System; and improved automotive performance. New advanced sighting systems, sensors and processing capabilities will improve situational awareness and interoperability with other units. We are confident that Challenger 3 will continue to match potential threats throughout its lifecycle, but we will continually review the performance of its specification to ensure that it remains world-leading.
What steps he is taking to help mitigate potential delays in the Challenger 3 programme achieving Initial Operating Capability by 2027.
The Armour Main Battle Tank programme has been impacted by some delays within the supply chain. Additional resources have been directed towards resolving these issues and the next phase of trials will start in Quarter 2 2025. Progress will be monitored carefully and any impact on the delivery of Initial Operating Capability will be continually assessed.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to (a) expedite and (b) delay the ratification of the Chagos sovereignty transfer to Mauritius.
Both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos Archipelago which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. Once an agreement is reached and the Treaty is signed, the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance (CRaG) process in the usual way.
With reference to paragraph 1.2.of the Office for Budget Responsibility's report entitled Economic and Fiscal Outlook, published on 26 March 2025, what assessment he has made of the (a) affordability and (b) achievability of increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.
The Government is committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in 2027, with an ambition to increase to 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The increase to defence spending is fully funded. ODA is being reduced to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI to fund the additional spend required to ensure we reach 2.5% of GDP on defence spending in 2027-28.
Whether Parliament will be provided with an updated briefing on the Chagos deal’s implications, in the context of the reported U.S. military build-up at Diego Garcia and its potential to extend operations.
Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. The joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The Treaty will secure the long-term, effective operation of the base.
What the projected cost of establishing and operating the Defence Growth Board is; and how it will be funded within the constraints of the fiscal rules and his Department's existing budget.
The Defence Growth Board is an internal cross-departmental board. It has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission, through providing a mechanism for Ministers to drive the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. It will have no cost associated with its establishment or operation.
How the Defence Growth Board fits into the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials. The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.
Will the Defence Growth Board report to (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (b) the Secretary of State for Defence or (c) Parliament; and how will its performance be measured.
The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials. The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.
What her planned timetable is for the Defence Growth Board to create growth.
The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials. The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.
Who the membership of the Defence Growth Board will be.
The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials. The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.
Whether any portion of the £2.2 billion spending uplift for the Ministry of Defence in the 2025-26 financial year is allocated to cover costs associated with the Chagos agreement.
The Diego-Garcia military base agreement is still being finalised, once the treaty is finalised it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way.
Whether the annual payment for the lease of Diego Garcia under the proposed Chagos Islands agreement will be funded from the defence budget; and what impact this will have on the Government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
The funding arrangements for the treaty are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.
What estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of restoring the Loughgall inquest.
The Government is committed to repeal and replace the almost universally opposed - and in many respects, unlawful - Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act 2023 (the Act). As part of this commitment, the Government has been consistently clear that we will propose measures to allow inquests previously halted by the Legacy Act to proceed, as set out in my written ministerial statements of 29 July 2024 and 7 October 2024, and in my oral statement of 4 December 2024. Funding for coronial inquests, as a policing and justice matter, falls within the devolved competence of the Northern Ireland Executive. While there are also associated costs for Government departments, including in terms of resourcing our responses to disclosure requests from a coroner, it is important to note that such requirements also apply to cases that are investigated by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. Through the Stormont House Agreement and New Decade, New Approach, £250 million has been allocated in order to deliver legacy mechanisms.
Whether his Department has made an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of repealing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
The Government, as part of the King’s Speech, committed to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act 2023 (the Act). This legislation, which was taken through Parliament by the previous Government, is almost universally opposed, including by families of individuals who lost their lives whilst serving the State in Northern Ireland. Several provisions of that legislation have also been found to be unlawful by the domestic courts, including provisions relating to immunity. Litigation regarding the Act - which remains ongoing - has incurred significant cost to the public purse. This Government is taking a different approach to that of the previous government, in seeking to implement legacy mechanisms that can comply fully with our human rights obligations and command confidence across communities. Through the Stormont House Agreement and New Decade, New Approach, £250 million has been allocated in order to deliver legacy mechanisms.