Written questions by Dhesi.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available to (a) serving military personnel and (b) veterans with Acquired Brain Injury as a result of service.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he is taking steps to standardise medical discharge pathways for veterans across the Armed Forces.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available to members of the Armed Forces who are medically discharged to transition into civilian life.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK Maritime Trade Organisation in responding to the situation in the a) Strait of Hormuz and b) Middle East.

The Shipping Defence Advisory Council (SDAC) and United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) are the principle forums for the Ministry of Defence to liaise with both the UK and global maritime industry regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz ...

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Shipping Defence Advisory Council in responding to the situation in the a) Strait of Hormuz and b) Middle East.

The Shipping Defence Advisory Council (SDAC) and United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) are the principle forums for the Ministry of Defence to liaise with both the UK and global maritime industry regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz ...

If he will establish a formal mechanism for the Shipping Defence Advisory Council to report directly to the National Security Council.

The Government keeps under review the governance arrangements for maritime security and engages regularly with industry, including through bodies such as the Shipping Defence Advisory Council. There are currently no plans to establish a formal mechanism f...

What assessment he has made of the impact on a) Royal Navy and b) the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of the agreement of the new international Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Code.

The Ministry of Defence continues to monitor the development of the International Maritime Organisation’s Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Code and its potential implications for Defence. The introduction of the Code is not currently assessed to have a m...

With reference to the Answer on 26 March 2026 to Question 121801 on Armed Forces Re-employment, what progress has been made in making the requested information available and placing a copy in the Library.

The information the hon. Member has requested will be placed in the Library of the House in the next few days.

If he will raise the issue of the safety of UK military vessels transiting to and from Gibraltar, and to seek reassurances that Royal Navy vessels will not be impeded or put at risk by Spanish authorities.

The UK expects all states to act in accordance with international law, including respecting freedom of navigation and the United Kingdom’s sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Royal Navy vessels continue to operate from Gibraltar in supp...

With reference to his letter to the Defence Committee of 31 January 2025, whether Defence Officials have published an official summary of the Defence Planning Assumptions.

The Defence Planning Assumptions (DPAs) have not yet been published as a stand alone document as the Strategic Defence Review took precedence, and therefore there is currently no high-level OFFICIAL summary. The DPAs will be formally issued after the Defe...

What steps he has taken to negotiate an administrative agreement with the European Defence Agency.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union in May 2025 is an example of this Government delivering on its manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy as set out in the Security and Defence Review. The Security and Defence Partnership outlines the possibility for establishing an Administrative Arrangement between the UK and the European Defence Agency. Officials remain in discussions with the EU to explore this. Any potential future UK commitment – financial or otherwise – will ensure value for taxpayers and support wider defence priorities.

How many contracts his Department has entered into in each of the last five years.

This information can be found at MOD trade, industry and contracts: 2025 - GOV.UK.

Whether his Department has an agreed target spend with SMEs.

The Ministry of Defence has set an ambitious target to increase direct and indirect spending by 50% compared to FY 23/24 baseline. This increase in total spend would equate to £2.5 billion total spend increase with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to £7.5 billion by May 2028.

How many major contracts which have been signed by his department since July 2024 were a) sustainment or refresh contracts or b) new procurement contracts.

The Department can confirm that, since July 2024, the department has signed a total of 1,398 major contracts. Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract records do not distinguish between sustainment or refresh (i.e. follow-on) contracts. Consequently, we can only provide the number of new contracts initiated since 5 July 2024.

Over the period since its first commissioning, what proportion of days HMS Prince of Wales has been at sea.

We do not comment on the detailed readiness or availability of individual units for operational security reasons.

What steps they are taking to increase the amount of UK made steel used in procurement contracts overseen by their Department.

This Government is committed to creating the right conditions in the UK for a competitive and sustainable steel industry. The sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities, including specialist cast and forged steel components for a range of defence programmes. The department publishes its future pipeline for steel requirements, enabling UK steel manufacturers to better plan and bid for upcoming contracts.The National Security Strategy, Strategic Defence Review, and Defence Industrial Strategy set out how a strong industrial base is critical for maintaining our national security infrastructure. While steel used in our major Defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurement activity will continue to apply PPN 022, a policy aimed at increasing the use of British-produced steel in public contracts. The MOD also supports the recently published UK Steel Strategy which sets out a long-term plan to revitalise the UK steel sector and restore domestic production to sustainable levels.

What proportion of roles are primarily land based for a) the whole Royal Navy and b) the Catering Services branch of the Royal Navy.

It has not been possible to provide the answer within the timeframe given, I will write to the hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

In each of the last 10 years, how many members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have died while a) undertaking training or b) while on active service.

One member of the Royal Fleet Auxillary is recorded as dying on duty by accident or injury in the past 10 years; this occurred in 2019. All on duty deaths are investigated by the appropriate body such as the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch, Defence Accident Investigation Branch, or civilian police where necessary.

How many days of maintenance on Royal Navy vessels were lost due to nearby nesting birds in the last 12 months.

No days of maintenance on Royal Navy vessels were lost due to nearby nesting birds in the last 12 months.

Whether members of the Armed Forces who a) are absent without leave and b) have deserted remain eligible to receive pay, pensionable benefits, allowances, or other benefits during the period of their absence.

Armed Forces Personnel who are Absent Without Leave or who have Deserted are not eligible to receive pay, pensionable benefits, allowances, or other financial benefits during the period of their absence.