Written questions by Maskell.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of air dropping medical aid into Gaza.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office leads on coordinating the Government’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when requested to facilitate the delivery of this assistance, including participating in airdropping aid as part of the Jordanian international coalition in 2024. However, the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June to Question 56822 on Israel: Military Aid, whether it is his policy to take UK International Humanitarian Law assessments into account when offering Israeli defense forces personnel training courses in the UK.

Fewer than five IDF personnel are currently enrolled in non-combat military academic courses in the UK. The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. The Ministry of Defence’s provision of such assistance is assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights, democracy and compliance with international humanitarian law.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56822 on Israel: Military Aid, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of members of the UK armed forces training the IDF personnel.

Fewer than five IDF personnel are currently enrolled in non-combat military academic courses in the UK. The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. The Ministry of Defence’s provision of such assistance is assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights, democracy and compliance with international humanitarian law.

Whether he has considered providing a sea route for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) leads on coordinating the HMG’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has provided military support when needed to facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including through providing support to the Cypriot Maritime Aid Corridor and the US’ temporary pier initiative in 2024. We continue to monitor the situation and consider what further assistance Defence could contribute to the HMG and international efforts.

What the length is of the UK's contract with the F35 global spare parts pool; and when that contract ends.

The UK Government does not have a contract with the F-35 global spares pool. The prime contractors for the F-35 programme, [the US companies Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney,] operate the F-35 global spares pool on behalf of the F35 programme, including the destination of specific spares and components. The F-35 programme is a highly integrated programme, with the principle of cooperation lying at its heart. If the UK Government were to withdraw from the F-35 global spares pool, it would effectively be withdrawing from the F-35 programme meaning that the UK would not be able to operate its F-35 fleet of aircraft.

Whether there are any contractual requirements that would prevent the UK from withdrawing from the F35 global spare parts pool.

The UK Government does not have a contract with the F-35 global spares pool. The prime contractors for the F-35 programme, [the US companies Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney,] operate the F-35 global spares pool on behalf of the F35 programme, including the destination of specific spares and components. The F-35 programme is a highly integrated programme, with the principle of cooperation lying at its heart. If the UK Government were to withdraw from the F-35 global spares pool, it would effectively be withdrawing from the F-35 programme meaning that the UK would not be able to operate its F-35 fleet of aircraft.

Whether he has withheld any Royal Air Force surveillance information from the Israeli government in the last two years.

Since early December 2023, the Ministry of Defence have conducted unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages. Only information related to hostage rescue can be passed to the relevant authority, and is only passed if we are satisfied it will be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.

What steps are available to him to call on the Israeli government to leave the F35 global spare parts pool.

All F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, including Israel, are managed directly by the US Government. There is no contractual/programme relationship between the UK Government and the F-35 FMS customers to allow the UK Government to call on nations to leave the F-35 global spares pool.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on the potential merits of placing GPS technology labelling on spare parts for the F35 global spare parts pool.

Conversations with F-35 Partners occur regularly and cover a range of issues; however, I am unable to disclose details of confidential conversations held within an international programme.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on the potential merits of (a) withdrawing from the F35 global spare parts pool and (b) continuing to sell components to countries within that pool other than Israel.

Conversations with F-35 Partners occur regularly and cover a range of issues; however, I am unable to disclose details of confidential conversations held within an international programme.

Whether his Department has (a) passed and (b) sold surveillance data of Gaza to Israel since (i) 7 October 2023, (ii) 5 July 2024 and (iii) 2 September 2024.

The UK controls what information is passed to Israeli authorities. Surveillance information of Gaza is passed to the relevant Israeli authorities only where it relates to hostage rescue and where we are satisfied that it will be used in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. I am unable to comment further on detailed intelligence matters.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts in the F35 global spare parts pool on the potential merits of (a) removing Israel from the pool and (b) introducing a carve out for UK parts not to be sent to Israel.

Conversations with F-35 Partners occur regularly and cover a range of issues; however, I am unable to disclose details of confidential conversations held within an international programme.

When the last time was that his Department provided the (a) Israeli government and (b) Israel Defense Forces with surveillance data of Gaza from Royal Air Force planes.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to Questions 56819 and 56820. I hope she will understand that I am unable to comment on detailed intelligence matters.

How many surveillance flights the Royal Air Force has made over Gaza since (a) 7 October 2023, (b) 5 July 2023 and (c) 2 September 2023.

Since December 2023 the Ministry of Defence has conducted unarmed surveillance flights within the airspace over Israel and Gaza, solely for the purpose of locating hostages. I am unable to comment further on detailed intelligence matters.

When the last time was that a member of the Israel Defense Forces was trained by the UK armed forces.

As part of routine Defence engagement with Israel, the UK is currently training a limited number of Israel Defense Forces personnel on UK-based training courses.

What assessment he has made of the value for money of the Defence Fire and Risk Project.

A comprehensive review of the contract was undertaken in autumn 2023 in accordance with Cabinet Office requirements, which found that as a whole, the Defence Fire and Risk Project contract represented satisfactory Value for Money. No further assessment has yet been made by this government.

If he will take steps to review the UK's nuclear weapons policy.

The United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent exists to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, which cannot be deterred by other means. It will remain essential for as long as the global security environment demands. We continually review our nuclear deterrence posture in light of the international security environment and the actions of potential adversaries, to ensure we can meet the threats facing the UK and our NATO allies.

If he will make it his policy to send representatives to attend the Third Meeting of States Parties of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as observers.

No officials will attend the Third Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Whether it is his policy to support nuclear disarmament.

The United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent exists to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life. It will remain essential for as long as the global security threat picture demands it. This Government's commitment to our nuclear deterrent maintained on behalf of the UK and our NATO allies is unshakeable. The UK Government believes that the best way to achieve global nuclear disarmament is through a gradual multilateral disarmament negotiated using a step-by-step approach which takes account of the international security environment and is under the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.