Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 561–580 of 597 · this parliament
What steps whether he has made an assessment of the potential (a) legal and (b) financial implications for his Department of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at Thales UK.
The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at Thales UK on defence procurement contracts with that company.
The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Whether his Department is involved in the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into suspected bribery and corruption at Thales UK.
The Ministry of Defence expects all its suppliers to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Whether he plans to publish a Command Paper on implementation of the Strategic Defence Review.
The Strategic Defence Review will report in the first half of 2025. The Department is preparing for its implementation.
What performance reviews have been conducted on Capita’s role in the recruitment of military personnel in the last five years.
The Army reviews Capita’s performance through multiple routine ‘holding-to-account’ forums and reports, as set out in the Recruitment Partnering Programme contract. This includes monthly measurement against key performance indicators. Additional performance audit reviews, directed by the previous Secretary of State, were conducted in May/June 2021 and July/August 2023.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) the participation of Mauritius in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and (b) sections on (i) military cooperation and (ii) other issues in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan for 2025-2027, published on 5 September 2024, on UK interests.
53 African countries, including Mauritius, attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China made a range of high-level commitments as part of the Forum's Beijing Action Plan. As with previous FOCAC commitments we will monitor their implementation and implications for UK policy.The UK will take a consistent and pragmatic approach to China's role in Africa - we will cooperate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must.
What assessment he has made of the role Capita's (a) systems and (b) processes played in the security failings that allowed Daniel Khalife to escape; and whether he plans to review Capita's contract with his Department.
Security measures in relation to the prison estate are a matter for the Ministry of Justice. The Secretary of State commissioned performance reviews of Capita which were completed March and September 2024.
What the timeline is for the delivery of the Mobile Fires Platform; and what the potential impact is of delays to the programme on the Army’s long-range artillery capabilities.
The Mobile Fires Platform will deliver the Army's Close Support Fires capability. The project aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade and will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System through a collaborative procurement with Germany. The project is in its assessment phase and a timeline or definition of MDC is yet to be determined, both of which will be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The Army is currently undergoing a combined programme of work to ensure our Land Forces will have the lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary. Whilst the Army's modernisation will continue over the next decade with a programme of investment worth billions of pounds, future capability development priorities, including long-range artillery capabilities, will be guided by the SDR.
What security protocols have been implemented to ensure the protection of personal data in the digital veterans ID system.
All data associated with the new virtual HM Armed Forces Veteran Card will be stored within the UK. The digitisation project is currently in the Discovery Phase. However, when it moves into development, it will operate under Government Security and Ministry of Defence Secure by Design frameworks as part of the whole life management of the service. This will include independent IT health checks and penetration testing throughout the duration of use.
If his Department will provide a table detailing the most recent data on UK Regular Forces by (a) Service and (b) Medical Deployability Standards.
The following table provides the Medical Deployability Standards for UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by service as of the 1 October 2024: Medically Fully Deployable (MFD)Medically Limited Deployable (MLD)Medically Not Deployable (MND)Total99,56014,35013,522Royal Navy22,8382,3632,922Army55,0059,4566,879RAF21,7172,5313,721
When he plans to conclude his Department's review into cadets and reserves; and whether he plans to publish that review.
The review of Reserves and Cadets is underway and is closely aligned with the Ministry of Defence’s wider Strategic Defence Review which will report in the first half of 2025. Once Ministers have considered the findings of the Reserves and Cadets review, a decision will be taken about publication.
What the status is of the Morpheus communications programme; and whether there are delays.
MORPHEUS is a project within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LETacCIS) Programme and is currently delayed. Work to reset the project remains ongoing, and an Independent Project Review, led by the Cabinet Office’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), will take place in early 2025 and inform next steps.
If he will make an assessment of the (a) applicability of the Treaty of Pelindaba to the Chagos Archipelago and (b) potential impact of that Treaty on the UK's Defence arrangements.
The agreement with Mauritius has been negotiated based on international law, and with regards to both parties' obligations under international law. The UK is not a Party to the Pelindaba Treaty, although it is a Party to Protocols I and II to that Treaty. The operation of the UK/US base on Deigo Garcia will continue unchanged.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the early retirement of Puma Helicopters on capability gaps.
The Ministry of Defence takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability gaps. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps in Cyprus and Brunei before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Defence's Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.
With reference to paragraph 5.52 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, what guidance his Department issues on whether nominees of deceased Armed Forces Pension Scheme members other than spouses and civil partners will become liable for inheritance tax on death in service lump sums.
Inheritance Tax on pensions is subject to a technical consultation which runs between 30 October 2024 and 22 January 2025. The Ministry of Defence will follow legislation as per Government proposals.
How many vacancies there are for (a) engineers, (b) submariners and (c) other critical roles in the Royal Navy.
The Royal Navy continues to fill the highest priority roles first in accordance with current and future output requirements. Where demand exceeds supply, the Royal Navy and employers actively prioritise where personnel are assigned. Due to operational security, The Royal Navy does not comment on the number of specific vacancies for critical roles.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) Mauritius' participation in the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation, (b) the provisions on military cooperation in and (c) the potential impact of the implementation of the Forum's Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027).
53 African countries, including Mauritius, attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China made a range of high-level commitments as part of the Forum's Beijing Action Plan. As with previous FOCAC commitments we will monitor their implementation and implications for UK policy.The UK will take a consistent and pragmatic approach to China's role in Africa - we will cooperate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must.
When he plans to publish the Strategic Defence Review.
As previously announced by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons, the Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Defence in the Spring of 2025. The Secretary of State for Defence will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament.
Whether the data associated with the new digital veterans ID will be stored only within the UK.
All data associated with the new virtual HM Armed Forces Veteran Card will be stored within the UK. The digitisation project is currently in the Discovery Phase. However, when it moves into development, it will operate under Government Security and Ministry of Defence Secure by Design frameworks as part of the whole life management of the service. This will include independent IT health checks and penetration testing throughout the duration of use.
What the cost has been of delivering the Military Flying Training System since its inception; and whether the programme is on track to meet its operational target.
The cost of delivering the UKMFTS since its inception has been £2.2 billion, with the programme continuing to deliver trained UK military pilots to meet the requirements of the Front Line Operational Conversion Unit. Incremental growth is planned in line with the Front Line Command requirements out to the contract end date in 2033.