Written questions by Francois.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 30971 on Armed Forces: Civil Proceedings, whether the Attorney General’s list of conflicts included legacy-related matters under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

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 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.If a Law Officer were to publicly confirm specific matters where they were conflicted, this would infer that legal advice had been requested by the Government on a specific matter, which would risk a breach of the Law Officers’ Convention.In addition, a lawyer cannot breach a client’s confidentiality in relation to advisory work that had previously not been made public so this would limit the ability of a Law Officer to publish in full their previous caseload and conflicts schedule. In that regard, the Attorney General has been through the same process as previous Law Officers, none of whom have gone as far to proactively disclose their specific conflicts of interest for the reasons set out above.

What estimate he has made of the number of potential claims against former UK armed forces personnel that could be eligible for judicial consideration under the proposals in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Existing civil cases were not barred from proceeding by the Legacy Act. The Government is, by way of a Remedial Order, repealing the retrospective bar on new civil cases and the bar on future civil cases, which has been found to be incompatible with our legal obligations. It is not possible to predict potential future proceedings. As is currently the case with the ICRIR, the Legacy Commission will be able to investigate, on request, Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries that occurred between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998. While it is not possible to predict its future caseload, the vast majority of the Troubles-related deaths, some 90%, were at the hands of paramilitaries.

Whether his Department will publish an impact assessment for the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025.

The Cabinet Office’s Guide to Making Legislation makes clear that “Impact Assessments are generally required for all UK government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector and/or civil society organisation or public services”. As the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial Order) 2025 does not regulate the private sector, civil society organisations or public services, no Impact Assessment has been produced. Parliament will have the ability to debate the impact of the Remedial Order in the usual way.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77476 on Boxer Vehicles: Repairs and Maintenance, when the review of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (Boxer) programme’s Initial Operating Capability will be completed; and if he will provide an update to the House once that review has concluded.

The review of the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme’s Initial Operating Capability schedule has been completed and is progressing through the Ministry of Defence Approvals process.

With reference to his Oral Statement of 14 October 2025 on Northern Ireland Troubles, Official Report, column 247 and his Department's press release entitled Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to repeal and replace Legacy Act, published on 14 October 2025, if he will confirm that the proposed protections for veterans in (a) that Bill and (b) forthcoming protocols will not extend to alleged paramilitaries.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill includes new protections and safeguards for veterans that were not included in the 2023 Act, and that respond directly to the views expressed by veterans during engagements that the Government has undertaken. The Government is also taking forward some measures on a non-legislative basis. All of the protections that the Government has announced are being introduced in order to protect and ensure fair treatment of any veteran who is asked to engage with legacy mechanisms.Some measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the new safeguard that ensures veterans do not have to give unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.Other measures, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.The Commission will be under a duty to avoid duplication unless it is considered essential which will apply to all of its investigations. This will ensure that the Commission’s investigations are effective, efficient, and focused on getting answers for families, whilst also protecting veterans from needlessly having to provide information previously covered.

Whether Challenger 3 in battlefield configuration has exceeded its maximum weight limit.

The Challenger 3 tank is being designed to meet its weight requirement.

Who holds the role of Senior Safety Responsibility Officer for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is Mr Chris Bowbrick. The Senior Safety Responsible Officer position within Defece Equipment and Support is filled by a Senior Professional Engineer. As a former Defence Minister he will recall that it is not Ministry of Defence policy to name Civil Servants below Senior Civil Service 1* grades. It is however, worth noting that the Armoured Cavalry Programme SRO is formally accountable for the overall safety of the programme.

When (a) he, (b) the Minister for Defence Procurement, (c) the Chief of the General Staff and (d) the National Armoured Director last received an update on progress of the Ajax vehicle trials.

Delivery of Ajax remains a high priority for defence. Senior stakeholders continue to receive regular updates regarding the Armoured Cavalry Programme through standard reporting processes, and all have been updated within the last four weeks.

Who holds the role of Senior Responsible Owner for the delivery of the Ajax Programme.

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is Mr Chris Bowbrick. The Senior Safety Responsible Officer position within Defece Equipment and Support is filled by a Senior Professional Engineer. As a former Defence Minister he will recall that it is not Ministry of Defence policy to name Civil Servants below Senior Civil Service 1* grades. It is however, worth noting that the Armoured Cavalry Programme SRO is formally accountable for the overall safety of the programme.

Whether any personnel have reported medial issues arising from their involvement with the Ajax programme in the last six months.

As a former Defence Minister he will know that Army personnel routinely report a range of medical issues from business-as-usual training activity, this includes soldiers operating Ajax. The Ajax Safe System of Work ensures there is a safe working environment for all Ajax users.

Whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department have corresponded with Lord Mandelson on the acquisition of US-manufactured defence equipment.

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Whether dismounted infantry companies in 3 (UK) Division are now planned to transition from Warrior vehicles to ARES rather than to Boxer.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 21 July 2025 to Question 68120 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty). The statement remains extant and explains that the Army intends to equip the Regular Infantry Units within 3 (UK) Division with ARES in the infantry troop carrying role.

Whether he plans to lay before Parliament (a) communications and (b) records of the former UK Ambassador to the United States' discussions with his Department on the (i) purchasing and (ii) procurement of American military equipment.

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

For what reason the Boxer armoured vehicle programme has been further delayed in reaching its Initial Operating Capability.

The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly. The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines. Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units. Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.

Which organisation will be responsible for the maintenance and support of Boxer vehicles within 3 (UK) Division.

The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly. The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines. Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units. Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.

Whether his Department held any meetings with Lord Peter Mandelson on the (a) procurement and (b) purchasing of American military equipment.

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

When the Boxer armoured vehicle programme is expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability.

The approved Initial Operating Capability of the Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme is currently Q4 2025. It is under review and an update will be provided shortly. The programme has faced some delays that have primarily resulted from global supply chain issues which are not unique to Boxer or Defence. These have, therefore, impacted industry manufacture, delivery and training timelines. Trials have, however, progressed well; training and support work is underway, and a steady progression of vehicles are being received month on month for acceptance before being fielded to Field Army units. Once in service, maintenance and support for the Boxer vehicle in 3rd (UK) Division will be initially led by the holding units and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers maintainers along with support from Field Service Representatives from industry. Spares and support will be provisioned through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency membership in collaboration with other Boxer Nations, which provides reach back to industry for deeper maintenance if required.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Lord Peter Mandelson’s involvement in discussions on the procurement of American defence systems.

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

What plans his Department has for the future of the Warrior armoured vehicle fleet.

I can confirm that the Army has recently established a Disposals team which is working on next steps for all in-service equipment, including the Warrior fleet of vehicles. Options planning is ongoing, which includes programming against the expected drawdown of in-service equipment. A balance of readiness risk against sales opportunity is being carefully considered under scoping of future plans.

Whether the Defence Investment Plan will consist of a single document.

The Defence Investment Plan will be a single document that sets out how the Ministry of Defence will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review over the next 10 years.