Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Rosindell this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 161 · Ministry of Defence
Whether his Department has a preparedness plan for RAF ships to provide support to Anguilla in the case of natural disasters.
The Ministry of Defence works closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure that preparedness plans are in place in the case of a natural disaster impacting the Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, including Anguilla.
What recent discussions he has had with (a) Ministerial colleagues and (b) external partners on the 25-year conservation plan for Akrotiri Salt Lake in the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration oversees the conservation plan for the Akrotiri Salt Lake, specifically through the ‘Akrotiri Peninsular Environmental Management Plan’. This was prepared in 2012 with the input and cooperation of local communities, non-Government organisations, and agencies of the Republic of Cyprus. Activity within this plan has been undertaken with technical and project support from cross-Government partners, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2025 to UIN 66298, what recent discussions he has had with the SBAs and the Republic of Cyprus on crime and immigration.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration and British High Commission Nicosia enjoy the practical support and cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus on issues of crime and immigration. Recent priorities have included tackling people smuggling networks, breaking up serious & organised criminal gangs, and the implementation of relevant parts of the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 on the SBAs of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 has been implemented effectively. The amendments addressed operational gaps and improved clarity for Sovereign Base Areas Customs and Immigration officers, while ensuring alignment with the Republic of Cyprus in line with the UK’s Treaty of Establishment commitments.
What progress he has made on the Bilateral Defence Co-operation Programme between the SBAs and the Republic of Cyprus.
The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus. This cooperation is underpinned by our Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan, which is collaboratively reviewed level by Cypriot and UK Ministries of Defence. Our cooperation within this framework has grown year-on-year: it includes training, capability development, and crisis planning, as well as collaboration on domestic and regional challenges.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 79283, if he will make an assessment of (a) the effectiveness of hydrographic surveys to improve the safety of navigation in Antarctic waters and (b) the potential merits of increasing the capacity for conducting these surveys.
The UK Hydrographic Office, an Executive Agency of the MOD, provides products to support the safety of navigation at sea for the UK's Waters, including its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies - they draw this data from multiple sources including international partners under the auspices of the International Hydrographic Organisation's Hydrographic Commission for Antarctica. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship, HMS Protector, also carries out hydrographic surveys in Antarctic waters. The difficulties of gaining high quality data in such a remote and environmentally challenging region are significant and the season for data collection is short. Therefore, there is strong cross-governmental coordination to ensure more frequently visited areas of the British Antarctic Territory are prioritised.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regional disaster response to the fires in the SBAs of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in July 2025; and whether he has implemented new regional disaster preparedness plans in response.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) manages disaster preparedness through the Areas Resilience Forum. Modelled on UK best practice, this takes a multi-agency approach, including both the SBAA and British Forces Cyprus, to prepare and respond to civil emergencies. The Area Resilience Forum conducts regular exercises to enhance preparedness of relevant agencies.In tackling civil emergencies, the Administration enjoys full, reciprocal cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus (RoC). For example, during the July 2025 wildfires – which took place within the RoC – significant aerial firefighting support was provided to the RoC by RAF CH-47.
Pursuant to the Answer on 8 December 2025 to Question 97994 on Artic: Shipping, what are the (a) command arrangements and (b) cost contributions for shared ice cutter capability in the British Antarctic Territories.
The Ministry of Defence remains committed to supporting the UK's sovereign and wider interests in the Antarctic. HMS PROTECTOR routinely deploys to the Antarctic Peninsula supporting the UK's responsibilities to the Antarctic Treaty and the British Antarctic Territory.To deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), we are developing options through the Defence Investment Plan for future Ice Patrol Ship capability. These options will consider requirements for the Antarctic, but also encompass the requirements for Arctic capabilities which the SDR identified as a region of increasing competition. These options will include cost and command factors.
With reference to section 5 of his Department's policy paper entitled The Strategic Defence Review 2025 - Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of potential impact of possible threats on the Antarctic Treaty system.
The Government’s vision to maintain the UK’s role as a leader in Antarctica and an active participant in the Antarctic Treaty system was set out in the UK Antarctic Strategy to 2035, published on 1 December 2025. The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence to support UK interests in the Antarctic, including upholding the Antarctic Treaty System.
Pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025 to question 71975, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of expanding the available pan space.
I would like to refer the hon. Member to the answer I have provided to the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 29 August to Question 71975. There remain no plans to expand the available 'pan space' at RAF Akrotiri but the Ministry of Defence is well placed to expand the facilities and infrastructure at RAF Akrotiri should the need arise.
If he will publish a breakdown of funding provided to the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia from the APPOLLO programme; and if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of this funding.
The APOLLO programme is delivering seismically compliant infrastructure and living accommodation across the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). Under the APOLLO programme, to date, construction has taken place across both the Western (including Akrotiri) and Eastern (including Dhekelia) Sovereign Base Areas. This has resulted in the provision of a new primary school, operational buildings, Defence family housing, and a passenger and freight handling facility. This investment serves to reduce seismic risk, strengthen operational capability, and help improve quality of life for Defence personnel and their families. All Defence spending commitments, including the APOLLO programme, are currently under review as part of the Defence Investment Plan. As a result, we are unable to publish a breakdown of current and planned funding provided to the SBAs.
If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the updated land-use framework adopted in the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The UK and the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) agreed to a new ‘Non-Military Development’ process in 2014 under the last government. This harmonised the rights to civilian development within the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) with those of the RoC, with certain conditions to safeguard military use of the SBAs. This arrangement has been in practical effect since May 2022, enhancing the prosperity and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
How many deportations took place from the SBAs in (a) 2026, (b) 2025, (c) 2024 and (d) 2023.
No deportations have taken place directly from the Sovereign Base Areas in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.
Pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025 to question 71975 on RAF Akrotiri: Military Aircraft, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of current pan space capacity.
British Forces Cyprus continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to assess the capacity of the RAF Akrotiri Airfield Operating Surfaces, ensuring an appropriate understanding of current requirements and the ability to support Defence activity as needed. RAF Akrotiri currently has adequate pan space capacity for both current and planned operations, with future operational demands kept under regular review.
What recent steps he has taken to support SMEs based in the UK to bid for defence contracts.
This Government has already committed to spending £2.5 billion more with defence SMEs. Central to driving this pledge is the recent establishment of the new Office for Small Business Growth which will help simplify and speed up cumbersome processes, provide advice to SMEs and encourage private sector investment. We have also recently announced a £20 million fund to offer accelerated contracts to small, innovative British startups, as well as establishing a protected budget of £400 million for UK Defence Innovation. We're breaking down barriers and opening new avenues for innovation, ensuring that our SMEs can play a vital role in strengthening our defence capabilities.
What recent steps he has taken to improve the (a) cost and (b) time efficiency of armed forces procurement processes.
The Defence Industrial Strategy and Strategic Defence Review set out plans to overhaul procurement. Our new segmented approach to procurement, supported by accelerated commercial pathways, is designed to enable programmes to get to contract faster and be more cost efficient. We are making progress towards the target date of 1 April 2026 for establishment of the segmented approach in line with the Strategic Defence Review.
What steps he has taken to improve cybersecurity protections for critical national infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence takes cyber security very seriously, particularly with regard to critical national infrastructure. We do not comment publicly on the detail of our protections for security reasons.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of defence funding on RAF Northolt’s ability to support military operations.
RAF Northolt is a core military establishment, delivering a breadth of important day-to-day outputs for Defence. There are no defence funding trends which might impact RAF Northolt’s ability to support military operations.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the recent performance of HMS Protector in addressing threats to sovereign interests in the British Antarctic Territories.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains committed to supporting the UK’s sovereign interests and wider commitments in the Antarctic and South Atlantic. HMS PROTECTOR routinely deploys to the Antarctic Peninsula to undertake activities in support of the UK’s interests, including Antarctic Treaty inspections and station visits in support of the British Antarctic Survey.The MOD keeps all operational activity under regular review to ensure that the UK’s interests in the South Atlantic are supported, and sovereignty of the British Antarctic Territory is maintained. For this reason, BFSAI personnel have recently conducted an Antarctic overflight, providing a sovereign presence in the British Antarctic Territory.
What his planned timeline is for the operational deployment of autonomous surface vessels by the Royal Navy.
The Royal Navy’s ‘Hybrid Navy’ proposition will embrace autonomy in the coming years with the future programme being developed in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review. Uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the domain capabilities over the next five years, with the exact numbers and levels of investment apportioned to these systems to be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.