Written questions by Dhesi.

Whether any military officers have been sent to Israel for the purposes of monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza.

No. A small number of UK planning officers have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), including a 2* deputy commander, to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.

How many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

In this instance, ‘disciplinary process’ has been defined as a misconduct and discpline case and ‘officials’ as Civil Servants. The table below shows the total number of misconduct cases over the last five years. Financial YearNumber of Misconduct cases2020-211512021-221512022-232092023-243042024-25334 The total numbers of misconduct cases that had full investigations is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What steps he is taking to improve systems for delivering oxygen to battlefield trauma casualties without making use of pressurised cylinders; and what estimate he has made of when this will be available for frontline use.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) deploys oxygen concentrators under certain circumstances to deliver oxygen without pressurised cylinders. The Defence Investment Plan will set out any further funding available to support the wider roll out of oxygen concentrators to deliver oxygen to battlefield trauma casualties.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of in-service helicopters' exhaust emissions that have been tested in the last five years.

The Ministry of Defence has previously conducted multiple sampling surveys on the, now out of service, Sea King helicopter between 1999 and 2015. These previous surveys found no conclusive evidence to suggest that aircrew were subject to exposure levels above UK and international safety standards. In response to recent concerns regarding the emissions of out of service helicopters, including the Sea King and Wessex, the Ministry of Defence has commenced a programme a programme of exhaust emission substance sampling for its in-service helicopter fleet. Modern helicopters and their engines are developed and certified to recognised standards with stringent emissions requirements and there is no current evidence to suggest personnel are at risk from current in-service helicopters. We are proactively conducting this work to ensure we are meeting our legal duty of care to our people. It is vital we can reassure them of their safety while at work. The testing programme commenced in February 2025 and is ongoing. Throughout, we are balancing the need to conduct testing with the operational requirements and availability of the aircraft.

What recent progress his Department has made on exhaust emissions tests on in-service helicopters.

The Ministry of Defence has previously conducted multiple sampling surveys on the, now out of service, Sea King helicopter between 1999 and 2015. These previous surveys found no conclusive evidence to suggest that aircrew were subject to exposure levels above UK and international safety standards. In response to recent concerns regarding the emissions of out of service helicopters, including the Sea King and Wessex, the Ministry of Defence has commenced a programme a programme of exhaust emission substance sampling for its in-service helicopter fleet. Modern helicopters and their engines are developed and certified to recognised standards with stringent emissions requirements and there is no current evidence to suggest personnel are at risk from current in-service helicopters. We are proactively conducting this work to ensure we are meeting our legal duty of care to our people. It is vital we can reassure them of their safety while at work. The testing programme commenced in February 2025 and is ongoing. Throughout, we are balancing the need to conduct testing with the operational requirements and availability of the aircraft.

What the average waiting time was to resolve urgent repairs requested for service family accommodation in the last 12 months.

The average response time to resolve urgent repairs requested for Service Family Accommodation from April 2024 to March 2025 is below: MonthAverage Response Time In HoursApril 202438.48May 202437.99June 202433.50July 202438.10August 202440.43September 202438.35October 202440.98November 202438.26December 202436.30January 202540.86February 202536.05March 202538.39 Please note, the Department can only provide data up to the last quarterly period which ended in March 2025.

Whether he is taking steps to increase domestic steel production capabilities for products required by the UK defence industry.

The UK steel sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities. Steel used in our major Defence programmes is sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, as programmes may often have requirements for specialist steel which cannot be sourced in the UK. The amount and origins of steel procured for Defence programmes is included in the Department for Business and Trade’s annual Steel Public Procurement report which can be found on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is developing a Defence Industrial Strategy that will align this Government’s national security and economic priorities. This will include a review of the UK’s approach to critical supply chain elements, such as steel, alongside reviewing and reconfirming the areas where the UK needs to retain sovereign production capacities onshore. The Government will also bring forward a new cross Government Steel Strategy which will establish a long-term vision for the industry, promoting long-term growth, that aligns with wider priorities, including the trade strategy, Strategic Defence Review and the upcoming Modern Industrial Strategy.

What estimate he has made of the proportion of British-made steel procured by the UK defence industry in the last year.

The UK steel sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities. Steel used in our major Defence programmes is sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, as programmes may often have requirements for specialist steel which cannot be sourced in the UK. The amount and origins of steel procured for Defence programmes is included in the Department for Business and Trade’s annual Steel Public Procurement report which can be found on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is developing a Defence Industrial Strategy that will align this Government’s national security and economic priorities. This will include a review of the UK’s approach to critical supply chain elements, such as steel, alongside reviewing and reconfirming the areas where the UK needs to retain sovereign production capacities onshore. The Government will also bring forward a new cross Government Steel Strategy which will establish a long-term vision for the industry, promoting long-term growth, that aligns with wider priorities, including the trade strategy, Strategic Defence Review and the upcoming Modern Industrial Strategy.

If he will review Indefinite Leave to Remain visa fees for family members of non-UK armed forces personnel.

This Government is committed to removing visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served our country for four or more years, and their dependents. The Ministry of Defence is actively working with the Home Office to take this forward.

If he will provide an update on surveillance flights over Gaza in the last month.

Since December 2023 the Ministry of Defence has conducted 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.

Whether his Department has provided military assistance to Israel since March 2025.

The Ministry of Defence has provided military assistance to Israel since March 2025 for the sole purpose of rescuing hostages in Gaza.

What estimate he has made of the number of animals used for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory research in 2024.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) remit to provide safe and effective countermeasures for UK Armed Forces could not currently be achieved without some use of animals. The Ministry of Defence does not conduct animal experiments for the development or testing of offensive weapons. Dstl is committed to the principles of Reduction, Replacement and Refinement (3Rs) in its use of laboratory animals, and only use animals where no feasible alternative methodologies exist. In 2024, Dstl used 679 animals in procedures regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).

What recent discussions he has had with SMEs on barriers to defence procurement.

As part of our development of the Defence Industrial Strategy I have attended a series of Roundtable events with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the United Kingdom. These events provide an opportunity to engage with SMEs across the defence supply chain, and to receive feedback on their experiences of doing business with defence, including the challenges which they encounter. In addition to this, planning for a new SME Support Centre for SMEs has started. Officials have held multiple consultation events with SMEs and defence industry to ensure that the new service meets defence SMEs needs. We will be holding more consultation events in the coming weeks.

What recent discussions he has had with defence manufacturers on skills levels in that sector.

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector and this is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy. We will continue working with industry, including through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council, to ensure the sector has access to the skilled workforce it requires now and into the future.

Whether he is taking steps to increase the number of apprenticeships within the defence sector.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the UK with over 25,000 apprenticeships across the Armed Forces and Civil Service in 2024. The MOD is working closely with the Department for Education and with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector. This is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

What assessment he has made of the stability of the semiconductor supply chain for the UK defence industry.

The Department is actively engaged in de-risking critical defence supply chain vulnerabilities, including for semiconductors, working collaboratively with industry and our international partners to mitigate risks. We aim to identify critical pinch points in our supply chains, for example, critical components, to enable us to make informed decisions around how and if to intervene. The Strategic Review and Defence Industrial Strategy will restate the importance of robust and resilience supply chains to ensure the delivery of critical defence outputs and keep the UK safe and secure.

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on an unified security clearance system across the (a) Ministry for Defence, (b) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (c) Home Office for prospective suppliers in the defence sector.

I can confirm that there is a unified security clearance system for His Majesty's Government, provided by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV), which is part of the Cabinet Office. UKSV is the single government vetting provider of National Security Vetting, including for suppliers, or prospective suppliers, where personnel require a national security clearance. I am meeting cross government colleagues shortly to continue His Majesty’s Government co-ordination of our vetting efforts.

What his planned timeline is for the introduction of the Digital Veteran Card.

The digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is scheduled for release by the end of summer 2025.

Whether his Department segregates armaments into (a) defensive and (b) offensive categories.

The Ministry of Defence does not categorise armaments as defensive or offensive during the procurement process. Items are generally considered in terms of the capability that they provide, and many items are capable of being used both offensively and defensively.

What recent discussions he has had with local councils on the implementation of VALOUR support centres.

On 5 May 2025 my hon. Friend, the Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns) announced VALOUR, a new UK-wide approach to veteran support, to foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure that veterans’ support is data driven. We will establish a network of field officers and VALOUR-recognised support centres, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners. That includes engagement and discussions with a range of stakeholders including local councils, who are a vital partner in this new endeavour.