Written questions by Francois.

How much his Department has spent on diversity and inclusion programmes relating to (a) employment, (b) pensions, (c) recruitment and (d) other matters since 4 July 2024.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains committed to making the step changes required to create a more inclusive Defence environment. We continue to work hard to broaden the diversity of our workforce through actively engaging with employees to attract the best talent, drive an inclusive culture at work, and better reflect the society we serve. The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on spending can be found in the Department's annual report and accounts: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024

What outstanding refit work remained on HMS Bulwark at the time of HMS Albion’s decommissioning in July 2023; and whether this work was completed before the decision to decommission Bulwark was taken.

The decision to decommission both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark was announced in November 2024. As of that date, a considerable amount of refit work was still outstanding to materially prepare HMS Bulwark for her return to sea. In the period from 2022 to 2024, a total of £72.1 million had been spent on refitting HMS Bulwark. Neither HMS Albion nor HMS Bulwark were due to go to sea ahead of their out-of-service dates in 2033 and 2034. Their disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future. These ships were effectively mothballed by the previous Government.

What the total expenditure was on the refit of HMS Bulwark prior to its decommissioning; and what specific refit work remained incomplete at the time of HMS Albion’s decommissioning in July 2023.

The decision to decommission both HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark was announced in November 2024. As of that date, a considerable amount of refit work was still outstanding to materially prepare HMS Bulwark for her return to sea. In the period from 2022 to 2024, a total of £72.1 million had been spent on refitting HMS Bulwark. Neither HMS Albion nor HMS Bulwark were due to go to sea ahead of their out-of-service dates in 2033 and 2034. Their disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future. These ships were effectively mothballed by the previous Government.

Whether it remains his Department's policy to deploy the Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific this year.

Defence is planning to deploy the Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific where it will be the focal point for numerous exercises, operations, and engagements in the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to revoke the status of the British Indian Ocean Territories as British Overseas Territories.

The political agreement, reached between the UK and Mauritius in October 2024, will need to be underpinned by a Treaty which, once signed, will be made public and put before both Houses for scrutiny consistent with the obligations under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act. Following signature, the Government intends to bring forward a Bill to make the necessary amendments to current legislation to implement the Treaty.

Whether the Attorney General has recused himself from providing legal advice on matters relating to historical allegations against armed forces personnel.

By long-standing convention, the fact that the Attorney General may or may not have advised, and the content of his advice, is not disclosed outside government, as is reflected in the Ministerial Code.As I set out to the House on 23 January and 6 February, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has an established and rigorous process for identifying and dealing with conflicts, and potential conflicts, that arise from the Law Officers’ past practice. That process predates the appointment of the Attorney General and sits against the backdrop of every lawyer’s professional obligation to be alert to, and actively manage, any situation that might give rise to a potential or actual conflict.This rigorous process for identifying and managing conflicts sits alongside the system relating to ministerial interests, overseen by the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. Both the Director General of the AGO and the Independent Adviser were provided with the Attorney General’s list of conflicts following his appointment.

What steps she is taking to ensure the impartiality of her Department's legal advice on compensation claims against British soldiers.

Impartiality of legal advice is vitally important for all government lawyers. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has an established and rigorous process for identifying and dealing with conflicts, and potential conflicts, that arise from the Law Officers’ past practice. That process predates the appointment of the Attorney General and sits against the backdrop of every lawyer’s professional obligation to be alert to, and actively manage, any situation that might give rise to a potential or actual conflict, in order to ensure impartiality.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28893 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he has made an assessment with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the value for money of the proposed Chagos Island deal.

The treaty is not finalised yet, when the deal is finalised, the Government will put it before the House.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2025 to Question 27513 on Defence: Bank Services, how many smaller defence suppliers have raised concerns with his Department on difficulties in (a) opening a bank account and (b) otherwise accessing finance since 1 January 2020.

The issues that smaller defence suppliers can face in opening a bank account and accessing finance have been raised with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on multiple occasions since 1 January 2020, both directly and via trade associations and higher tier partners. It is not possible to quantify the number of companies who have relayed these concerns. This Government recognised these issues in the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent and the MOD continues to consult widely with defence and financial services stakeholders on tackling these barriers, so that we have a better, more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence sector.

How many Chagossians moved to the UK from (a) Mauritius and (b) Seychelles in each year since 2019.

An individual can apply for British citizenship if they believe they meet the requirements. Those wishing to naturalise will need to meet the statutory requirements set out in the British Nationality Act 1981, including to be of good character. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but a person who has entered the UK illegally will not normally meet the good character requirement.Details of fees for immigration and nationality applications, including the estimated unit costs, can be reviewed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

What representations her Department has received from the Ministry of Defence on security concerns related to the involvement of Mingyang Smart Energy in the Green Volt North Sea wind farm project; and what consideration has been given to these concerns in the decision-making process.

The Government is committed to attracting investment into the UK to support our growth and clean energy missions. The UK is one of the most attractive global investment destinations for renewable energy and significant deployment acceleration to 2030 will be required. While we cannot comment on individual cases, the Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously. Delivering our Clean Power 2030 target will boost energy security, whilst creating good jobs and protecting consumers. We will protect national security wherever we identify concerns.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27123 on Defence: Financial Services, how many stakeholders his Department has met with since the meeting of 12 December 2024; what issues were identified as requiring action; and what steps he is taking to prevent unintended consequences.

As referred to in my answer of 7 February, I recognise the challenges for both industries in addressing this issue. Since the meeting of 12 December, my officials have been in discussions with counterparts in HMT and MOD, including Defence Equipment & Support, and have also written to each of the roundtable participants asking for their thoughts and ideas on where the issues lie and how to resolve them. The request was for responses by 14 February, and we are developing a plan to address the issues raised.

What security assessment his Department has conducted on the potential risks associated with Mingyang Smart Energy supplying turbines for the Green Volt North Sea wind farm.

Defence works in close collaboration with other Departments as part of the Government’s process to assess and mitigate national security risks to UK interests at home and abroad. It would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases, but any investment in the energy sector or other parts of our Critical National Infrastructure is subject to the highest levels of scrutiny. The Government continues to welcome investment, but we will not hesitate to protect national security wherever we identify specific areas of concern.

How many of the people arrested for illegal working in January 2025 have been (a) cautioned, (b) charged with an offence and (c) released without further action?.

The priority with individuals found to be working illegally in the UK is to secure their removal from the country, in line with our normal procedures for returns and deportations.The Home Office publishes data on returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’, which can be found here: Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK. This does not include a separate category for individuals arrested for illegal working, and that could only be collated and verified for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for UK national security of paragraph 368 of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament's report entitled China, published on 13 July 2023, HC 1605, on Chinese influence in the International Telecommunication Union.

Upholding national security remains the first duty of this government. The UK takes an active role in organisations including the International Telecommunication Union and the Third Generation Partnership Project, to shape standards to serve innovation while mitigating risks to the security of emerging technologies. We recognise that other states, including China, may seek to shape standards development in ways that differ to UK values. We need to co-operate with China where we can, while challenging where we must. To safeguard our democratic societies, we are taking steps with our allies to promote the international rules-based system that underpins our security.

Whether the UK Government provided any (a) funding, (b) financial assistance or (c) official support for Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Mauritius in 2013.

The Prime Minister visited Mauritius in a private capacity in November 2013. This was after stepping down as Director of Public Prosecutions.

How much has been spent on external legal advice on international law since 5 July 2024.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has spent £0 on external legal advice that covers international law matters commissioned from 5th July 2024.However, the AGO has spent £7,028.40 for external legal advice covering international law matters that was sought and received by the previous administration prior to 5th July 2024.

How many of the people arrested for illegal working in January 2025 have since been deported; and what proportion this represents of total arrests.

The priority with individuals found to be working illegally in the UK is to secure their removal from the country, in line with our normal procedures for returns and deportations.The Home Office publishes data on returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’, which can be found here: Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK. This does not include a separate category for individuals arrested for illegal working, and that could only be collated and verified for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

How many and what proportion of people arrested for illegal working in January 2025 were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted.

The priority with individuals found to be working illegally in the UK is to secure their removal from the country, in line with our normal procedures for returns and deportations.The Home Office publishes data on returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’, which can be found here: Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK. This does not include a separate category for individuals arrested for illegal working, and that could only be collated and verified for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) discussions he has had with his counterpart in the US and (b) legal advice he has received on the electromagnetic spectrum over Diego Garcia.

The Foreign Secretary and US Secretary of State had a phone call on 27 January where they discussed a range of shared UK/US priorities, including the long-term protection of the base on Diego Garcia. The Government, as anyone else, is entitled to receive legal advice in confidence that will not be made public.