Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 597 · this parliament
Whether his Department has introduced procurement control measures for spending levels that require clearance by the Secretary of State.
In year controls are used across the Department to manage its performance against the Defence budget as part of good financial management. The Secretary of State for Defence continues to have oversight of this process.
Whether Andy Start will remain the Acting National Armaments Director for the whole length of his contract.
Andy Start was appointed acting National Armaments Director (NAD) as part of the establishment of the wider NAD Group in March 2025. Recruitment of a permanent NAD is ongoing and an appointment will be made in due course.
When he plans to respond to Questions 75477, 75478, 75479 on National Armaments Director Group: Costs.
I responded to the right hon. Member on 24 September 2025.
When he plans to respond to Questions 75061 and 75064 on National Armaments Director: Recruitment.
A response for both questions has been issued here and here.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department received legal advice on the imminence of legal rulings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Chagos Islands.
The Government's position in relation to the UK-Mauritius treaty has been informed by legal advice throughout. The Government's legal position was set out on 22 May when the treaty was signed, and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-secures-future-of-vital-diego-garcia-military-base-to-protect-national-security
What estimate he has made of the total costs incurred on Project MORPHEUS up to the decision to pause its original plans including a breakdown of expenditure on (a) development, (b) industry partnerships, (c) external advice and (d) sustainment activities.
It will take time to collate and review the information required to answer the hon. Member’s question. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
What assessment he has made of the factors which contributed to the delivery confidence assessment rating for the LETacCIS programme decreasing from amber to red between financial year 2023-24-Q4 and 2024-25-Q4; and what steps he is taking to address those factors.
It will take time to collate and review the information required to answer the hon. Member’s question. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact the pause in Project MORPHEUS on warfighter effectiveness; and what interim measures are in place to extend the service life of the BOWMAN system.
It will take time to collate and review the information required to answer the hon. Member’s question. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
What estimate he has made of the costs of the design phase of the National Armaments Director Group; and when that phase is will conclude.
This Government is delivering the deepest defence reforms in over 50 years. On 31 March 2025 the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group was stood up – creating a new export to end acquisition system design to cut waste and fix the broken procurement system this Government inherited. Andy Start was appointed interim NAD and had been acting as NAD since the NAD Group was stood up on 31 March 2025. He conducts, all of the responsibilities the Head of the NAD Group must, regardless of the fact he is an interim appointment. To the end of August 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) expended £4.2 million in workforce costs on the establishment of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This expenditure was drawn from existing resource within MOD, and is not a net increase for the Department. This expenditure is broken down into Enabling Workstreams (£3.1 million) and Organisational Change (£1.1 million).In addition, in the same period the Department spent £0.5 million on external assistance in support of the establishment of the NAD Group.The NAD Group design phased is scheduled to conclude on 31 March 2026, at which point costing will be able to be confirmed.The Department has incurred no additional cost as a result of operating the NAD Group under Andy Start.
Whether his Department has incurred additional costs as a result of operating the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group under an acting director rather than a permanent one.
This Government is delivering the deepest defence reforms in over 50 years. On 31 March 2025 the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group was stood up – creating a new export to end acquisition system design to cut waste and fix the broken procurement system this Government inherited. Andy Start was appointed interim NAD and had been acting as NAD since the NAD Group was stood up on 31 March 2025. He conducts, all of the responsibilities the Head of the NAD Group must, regardless of the fact he is an interim appointment. To the end of August 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) expended £4.2 million in workforce costs on the establishment of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This expenditure was drawn from existing resource within MOD, and is not a net increase for the Department. This expenditure is broken down into Enabling Workstreams (£3.1 million) and Organisational Change (£1.1 million).In addition, in the same period the Department spent £0.5 million on external assistance in support of the establishment of the NAD Group.The NAD Group design phased is scheduled to conclude on 31 March 2026, at which point costing will be able to be confirmed.The Department has incurred no additional cost as a result of operating the NAD Group under Andy Start.
What estimate he has made of the total cost to the public purse of establishing the National Armaments Director Group since March 2025; and what the breakdown of those costs are.
This Government is delivering the deepest defence reforms in over 50 years. On 31 March 2025 the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group was stood up – creating a new export to end acquisition system design to cut waste and fix the broken procurement system this Government inherited. Andy Start was appointed interim NAD and had been acting as NAD since the NAD Group was stood up on 31 March 2025. He conducts, all of the responsibilities the Head of the NAD Group must, regardless of the fact he is an interim appointment. To the end of August 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) expended £4.2 million in workforce costs on the establishment of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This expenditure was drawn from existing resource within MOD, and is not a net increase for the Department. This expenditure is broken down into Enabling Workstreams (£3.1 million) and Organisational Change (£1.1 million).In addition, in the same period the Department spent £0.5 million on external assistance in support of the establishment of the NAD Group.The NAD Group design phased is scheduled to conclude on 31 March 2026, at which point costing will be able to be confirmed.The Department has incurred no additional cost as a result of operating the NAD Group under Andy Start.
Pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 62175, when his Department plans to hold the next Ajax-specific event at Bovington to which journalists will be invited.
There are currently no Ajax specific events due to be held at Bovington to which journalists will be invited.
Whether the contract awarded by his Department to Korn Ferry for the recruitment of the National Armaments Director has been fulfilled.
I refer to my answer given on 9 July HC66214. Korn Ferry continue to support the appointment process for the National Armaments Director role.
What the value was of the contract awarded by his Department to Korn Ferry for the recruitment of the National Armaments Director.
The competition was supported by Kornferry: details of the contract award and value are available here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/be88f513-c01a-4620-89f9-1cb2cc686895 and here Executive & Non-Executive Recruitment Services - CCS
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 70329 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the jurisdiction in which the trial (a) is taking place for the person awaiting trial and (b) was taking place for the person who died before legal proceedings were concluded.
In reference to my previous Written Answer, the Northern Ireland Office is aware of at least one individual who has received a so-called 'on-the-run letter’ and is currently awaiting trial in Northern Ireland. We are also aware, through publicly available information, of another individual in receipt of a letter, whose legal proceedings in Northern Ireland were discontinued upon that individual’s death.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 70331 on Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, if he will set out his planned timetable for (a) responding to the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ recommendations regarding the draft Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order and (b) laying the final Order.
The Government is committed to introducing primary legislation when parliamentary time allows, including to reform and strengthen the independent Commission to ensure it is fully human rights compliant. As I stated at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 3rd September, I intend to lay the draft Remedial Order and the Government’s response to the JCHR at the same time as introducing primary legislation.
What risks he has identified in the complex integration challenges for the Type 31 frigate programme; and what (a) technical and (b) contractual steps he is taking to help mitigate those risks.
The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures, which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The Red delivery confidence assessment rating reflects this impact and on completion of full assessment and assurance, formal updates will be provided through official channels at the appropriate time. HMS VENTURER is the first in Class of the T31 and is currently scheduled to be in service by the end of the decade. All five of the T31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s and are forecast to meet the Key User Requirements. Three ships are currently in build; HMS VENTURER, which was floated off a launch barge in June 2025, HMS ACTIVE and HMS FORMIDABLE. There has been substantial investment in risk mitigation. For example: significant investment in Babcock’s facilities at Rosyth, which include digitising the shipyard, new manufacturing facilities, and a new purpose-built Assembly Hall. In addition, there has been the generation of a Shore Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park, to mitigate risks to the integration of the combat system.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the red delivery confidence rating for the Type 31 frigate programme on the (a) overall user requirements and (b) operational readiness of the Royal Navy.
The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures, which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The Red delivery confidence assessment rating reflects this impact and on completion of full assessment and assurance, formal updates will be provided through official channels at the appropriate time. HMS VENTURER is the first in Class of the T31 and is currently scheduled to be in service by the end of the decade. All five of the T31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s and are forecast to meet the Key User Requirements. Three ships are currently in build; HMS VENTURER, which was floated off a launch barge in June 2025, HMS ACTIVE and HMS FORMIDABLE. There has been substantial investment in risk mitigation. For example: significant investment in Babcock’s facilities at Rosyth, which include digitising the shipyard, new manufacturing facilities, and a new purpose-built Assembly Hall. In addition, there has been the generation of a Shore Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park, to mitigate risks to the integration of the combat system.
What estimate his Department has made of the additional costs arising from inflation on the Type 31 frigate programme.
The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures, which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The Red delivery confidence assessment rating reflects this impact and on completion of full assessment and assurance, formal updates will be provided through official channels at the appropriate time. HMS VENTURER is the first in Class of the T31 and is currently scheduled to be in service by the end of the decade. All five of the T31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s and are forecast to meet the Key User Requirements. Three ships are currently in build; HMS VENTURER, which was floated off a launch barge in June 2025, HMS ACTIVE and HMS FORMIDABLE. There has been substantial investment in risk mitigation. For example: significant investment in Babcock’s facilities at Rosyth, which include digitising the shipyard, new manufacturing facilities, and a new purpose-built Assembly Hall. In addition, there has been the generation of a Shore Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park, to mitigate risks to the integration of the combat system.
What steps he is taking to meet the first-of-class schedule for the Type 31 frigate.
The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price, in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures, which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The Red delivery confidence assessment rating reflects this impact and on completion of full assessment and assurance, formal updates will be provided through official channels at the appropriate time. HMS VENTURER is the first in Class of the T31 and is currently scheduled to be in service by the end of the decade. All five of the T31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s and are forecast to meet the Key User Requirements. Three ships are currently in build; HMS VENTURER, which was floated off a launch barge in June 2025, HMS ACTIVE and HMS FORMIDABLE. There has been substantial investment in risk mitigation. For example: significant investment in Babcock’s facilities at Rosyth, which include digitising the shipyard, new manufacturing facilities, and a new purpose-built Assembly Hall. In addition, there has been the generation of a Shore Integration facility at Portsdown Technology Park, to mitigate risks to the integration of the combat system.