Written questions by Francois.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of Tranche 1 Typhoon jets being repurposed for deployment in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence has assessed the relative merits and downsides of donating Typhoon Tranche 1 jets to Ukraine multiple times. In August 2023, Denmark and the Netherlands announced they would donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which is significantly greater than the number of Tranche 1 Typhoons in RAF service. As a result, and following detailed conversations with the Ukrainian Government, the UK has decided to focus on supporting the donation of European F-16s to Ukraine, by providing elementary flying training and English language training for technicians and pilots that will then operate F-16s.24 Ukrainian pilots have graduated from intensive Fast Jet Lead-in training under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors. I attended the graduation of Ukrainian pilots trained by the UK last year and can tell the right hon. Member we should be very proud of our role training them, and proud of the brave individuals we train for supporting their freedom.

Whether any of the contracts for the three external reviewers conducting the Strategic Defence Review have been extended.

The external review team continue to support the delivery of this crucial piece of work. The Strategic Defence Review - which will be published in the Spring - will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.

Whether the proposed agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands contains a clause allowing other States to use the allocated electromagnetic spectrum in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and what steps his Department is taking to help prevent risks to the Automated Digital Network System 3.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. We routinely assess the range of potential threats to the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide consular assistance for British nationals who are arbitrarily detained abroad.

The Government takes allegations concerning the arbitrary detention of British nationals - including journalists - very seriously. We examine the circumstances of each case individually and develop tailored strategies based on careful judgements on what is likely to be most effective. Where appropriate, we seek to raise concerns with the local authorities and press for specific violations to be remedied or investigated. We expect all States to comply with their human right obligations. The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect British journalists who have been arbitrarily detained abroad.

The Government takes allegations concerning the arbitrary detention of British nationals - including journalists - very seriously. We examine the circumstances of each case individually and develop tailored strategies based on careful judgements on what is likely to be most effective. Where appropriate, we seek to raise concerns with the local authorities and press for specific violations to be remedied or investigated. We expect all States to comply with their human right obligations. The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to bring forward legislative proposals to provide a legal right to consular assistance to all British nationals facing arbitrary detention overseas.

The Government takes allegations concerning the arbitrary detention of British nationals - including journalists - very seriously. We examine the circumstances of each case individually and develop tailored strategies based on careful judgements on what is likely to be most effective. Where appropriate, we seek to raise concerns with the local authorities and press for specific violations to be remedied or investigated. We expect all States to comply with their human right obligations. The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

How many people who claimed asylum in the British Indian Ocean Territory and subsequently transferred to the UK (a) has been or (b) are the subject of an investigation into foreign espionage activities directed at (i) UK and (ii) international allies' interests.

All migrants who have arrived in the UK have undergone the required security checks in line with the appropriate immigration rules.

What his timeline is for the delivery of the first Fleet Solid Support Ship.

On the current schedule, the first ship is expected to enter service by 2031 following extended first of class trials and equipment fits, however extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme following the recent takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia UK. This includes the impact on the in-service dates which are still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the detailed contract change and it would be inappropriate to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

What the cost increase has been for the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract since initial agreement.

On the current schedule, the first ship is expected to enter service by 2031 following extended first of class trials and equipment fits, however extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme following the recent takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia UK. This includes the impact on the in-service dates which are still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the detailed contract change and it would be inappropriate to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential threat to Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia from saboteurs.

We routinely assess the range of potential threats to the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government of Mauritius will assume responsibility for asylum seekers arriving in the Chagos Islands once the agreement has been ratified by Parliament.

Once the UK's agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago comes into force, Mauritius will take responsibility for any migrants who may arrive on the islands in the future. The deal will close a dangerous, illegal migration route. Up until the deal is in force, St Helena will accept any migrants arriving in the Chagos islands pursuant to an arrangement we made with them in October 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what proportion of all people (a) intercepted and (b) detained in the British Indian Ocean Territory were (i) questioned and (ii) charged on espionage-related offences in the last five years.

We do not comment on espionage-related activity. No migrants have arrived on BIOT since 2022.

Whether any payments related to a Chagos Islands agreement will be funded from his Department's budget; and whether such payments will be front-loaded in the context of the Government’s commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027.

The terms of the treaty are still being finalised, once the treaty is finalised it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way.

With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, on what percentage of economic growth in the economy is the increase in Defence spending based.

The increase in defence spending is based on OBR forecasts of GDP growth. Further detail will be made available on 26 March alongside the OBR’s next forecast in the usual way.

What his planned timetable is for when RFA Fort Victoria will rejoin the active fleet.

RFA Fort Victoria is in a period of planned maintenance, which was delayed to prioritise higher priority outputs. We do not disclose the details of forward availability forecasts to preserve the operational security of the fleet, however I can confirm that she will be regenerated in accordance with defence requirements.

With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what the total cost to the public purse will be of the UK defence budget in financial year (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29.

This commitment will be funded by reductions in Overseas Development Aid to 0.3% of GNI and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.HMT is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL, on 11 June 2025. The Defence Budget for financial year 2025-26 is £59.8 billion and was published in the Autumn Budget in October 2024.

With reference to the Prime Minister's statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what steps the Government plans to take to fund the £13.4 billion annual uplift in defence funding beyond the £5.3 billion reallocated from the reduced aid budget.

£13.4bn represents the forecast increase in total NATO qualifying defence spending from 2024-25 to 2027-28. This increase comprises the reallocated ODA funding, as well as forecast increases to existing NATO qualifying spend over that timeframe.

With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what proportion of additional defence spending will be funded by transfers from the overseas aid budget.

Tuesday’s announcement is fully funded - we are reducing ODA to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI to fund the additional spend required to ensure we spend 2.5% of GDP on defence spending in 2027-28.

For what reason has the signature of the full business case for the E-7 Wedgetail programme been delayed.

The E7 Full Business Case is undergoing due consideration within the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) approvals process. The MOD operates a robust approvals process in accordance with HM Treasury's approvals control framework.

What the latest estimated IOC date is for what is now HMS Achilles .

Achilles, the final vessel, is at an advanced stage of build at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.