Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in implementing better animal research approval and dissemination mechanisms to assess whether animal use is required or whether alternatives could be used.

The strategy aims to improve animal research approval and dissemination mechanisms, to better assess where alternative methods can be used. This work is being taken forward through the commitments set out under the Discovery Research Themes, with activities to be initiated during 2026–27.The Government will publish a delivery update later in 2026, alongside key performance indicators setting out progress across all elements of the strategy.

Whether, during the meeting between the Chief of the Defence Staff and President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria on 31 March 2026, he discussed a potential end date for Operation Shader.

In the meeting between the Chief of the Defence Staff President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria on 31 March 2026, a potential end date for Operation Shader was not discussed.

Which number ships from the Type 26 production run will go to the Royal Norwegian Navy.

I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 108598 provided on 4 February 2026. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-27/108598

With reference to the press release entitled Independent champion for Armed Forces appointed as new team stands up, published on 5 April 2026, when he plans to commence the open competition for the permanent appointment.

Former Air Commodore Polly Miller-Perkins CBE took up the post of Armed Forces Commissioner on 30 March 2026, serving in the role on an interim basis for a term of one year. An open competition to recruit a permanent appointee will commence later this year.

With reference to page 30 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published on 24 March 2026, by when he plans to have introduced a new Defence Security and Diplomacy Portfolio.

Defence Security and Diplomacy Portfolio officially launched this financial year.

With reference to the Official Statistics: Murder, manslaughter, sexual offences and domestic abuse in the Service Justice System: 2025, published on 26 March 2026, and with reference to the investigations into 12 suspects regarding indecent images of children, how many of the 12 suspects were subsequently charged.

At the time the data on police investigations was extracted, six investigations had not been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, and as at 16 April 2026 none of the other six have been referred. Therefore, none of the 12 suspects have been charged. The separate data from the Service Prosecuting Authority within the Official Statistics reports how many referrals are received after investigation each year for the relevant offence, and then how many cases for the relevant offence are completed in total in that year. A case completed by the Service Prosecuting Authority in the year may have been referred in a previous year; referrals and completed cases reported in a specific year do not necessarily match. For Indecent Images of Children cases in 2025 the Service Prosecuting Authority received nine referrals after investigation and charged six cases. The referred cases and charged cases may not be the same cases, as charged cases may have been referred in the previous year.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, by when the Animals in Science Regulation Unit will a) complete its Regulatory Reform programme and b) implement a new target operating model.

The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) launched its new organisational design and operating model in late 2025. This included increasing the size of the inspectorate from an average of 14.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts in 2023 to 22 FTE in 2026, strengthening the Regulator’s ability to scrutinise, monitor and assure compliance of regulated establishments with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. ASRU has also introduced specialist roles and functions to strengthen data analysis, quality monitoring and overall regulatory performance.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy ‘Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods’, later in 2026.

With reference to Heading 8 entitled Service Prosecuting Authority – Indecent Images of Children in the Official Statistics entitled Murder, manslaughter, sexual offences and domestic abuse in the Service Justice System: 2025, published on 26 March 2026, under what circumstances would a case involving indecent images of children be referred to the Commanding Officer.

The offences related to Indecent Images of Children (s1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978) are listed as Schedule 2 offences within the Armed Forces Act 2006 and therefore cannot be referred to a Commanding Officer (CO) to be dealt with via summary hearing. Investigations into serious offences, including Indecent Images of Children (IIOC) are investigated by the Defence Serious Crime Command independently of the Chain of Command. In the 2025 Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System, within the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) tab, one IIOC case is recorded as referred to CO. Cases are shown on the SPA statistics against the most serious charge, but cases may also contain less serious charges. A case that is shown under the “Indecent Images of Children” heading may be referred to the CO by the SPA, where the decision was taken that the “Indecent Images of Children” charge did not pass the Full Code Test (and therefore could not be charged), but other charges in the case are appropriate for the CO to deal with.

Whether Polly Miller-Perkins CBE is the interim or permanent Armed Forces Commissioner.

Former Air Commodore Polly Miller-Perkins CBE took up the post of Armed Forces Commissioner on 30 March 2026, serving in the role on an interim basis for a term of one year. An open competition to recruit a permanent appointee will commence later this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2026 to Question 122321 on Ajax Vehicles: Health and Safety, whether he has considered publishing the membership of the expert panel.

An Independent Expert Panel Review of the programme is ongoing. This panel was established to identify human, environmental and technical factors affecting the users of Armoured vehicles. While this review is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to provide any further details.

With reference to Heading 10 entitled Domestic Abuse in the Official Statistics entitled Murder, manslaughter, sexual offences and domestic abuse in the Service Justice System: 2025, published on 26 March 2026, how many of the 27 male reported victims were serving military personnel.

In the interest of protecting the anonymity of victims of domestic abuse (which may constitute victims of sexual offences) and to ensure that victims of domestic abuse (which may include sexual offences) are not deterred from coming forward, I do not intend to release information confirming whether any of the male victims of domestic abuse were serving military personnel.The published figures for victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse are based on investigations opened, and the most serious offence initially reported, not convictions. Not all investigations result in an arrest or a charge, and anyone accused is innocent until proved guilty. The official statistics into Murder, Manslaughter, Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse in the Service Justice System does not breakdown the data to that level of detail. The data is broken down to one demographic at a time, but not by two simultaneously. By breaking the data down further this could contribute to disclosure of individuals’ identities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52038 on F-35 Aircraft: Cruise Missiles, what the outcome was of the re-baselining conducted in 2025.

The re-baselining conducted throughout 2025 will be formalised on approval of the associated Review Note. Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, by when she plans to publish areas of research interest for alternative methods.

UKRI is leading the commitment to publish Areas of Research Interest for alternative methods.The strategy commits to initiating this work in the first half of 2026, with discussions now happening between the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to agree the approach.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52038 on F-35 Aircraft: Cruise Missiles, when the review note was (a) submitted and (b) approved.

The Review Note has been subject to an extended consultation phase which has now been finalised; Submission is expected imminently.

With reference to the National Police Chief's Council report entitled Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025-2028, what offences are classified under bat crime.

Under the NPCC Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025–2028, bat crime includes:Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection.Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by bats.Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat.Deliberately disturb a bat.Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat (bats do not have to be in occupation at the time).Possess or control a bat.Transport a bat.Sell or exchange a bat.Offer for sale or exchange any bat, alive or dead, or any part of a bat.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, by when she expects the Animals in Science Committee to provide their advice on (a) strengthening leading practice for the regulated sector and (b) best practice for animal welfare and ethical review bodies.

The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) published its report, Strengthening leading practice in the animals in science sector, on 19th January 2026. It is available to read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strengthening-leading-practice-in-the-animals-in-science-sector.The ASC expects to publish its report on Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies by 30th September 2026. Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timescales-for-asc-commissions-letter-to-lord-hanson.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring ammunition for HMS Glasgow’s Vertical Launching System prior to its first operational patrol in 2028.

Ammunition procurement is considered through routine Defence equipment planning processes, which takes account of operational requirements, platform readiness and value for money.

What consideration has she given to the incorporation of the 2025-2028 Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy into the structural changes following from the Police reform white paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, CP1489.

The Home Office will continue to work closely with policing and partners to ensure that police reforms support effective delivery through neighbourhood policing, specialist capabilities and national coordination.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister and President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria discussed the return of ISIS-linked British citizens from camps in Syria to the UK during the meeting on 31 March 2026.

The Prime Minister welcomed President al-Sharaa to the UK on 31 March. Details of their discussions are available on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-of-syria-31-march-2026.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in increasing investment in data-driven biology.

Increasing investment in data-driven biology sits with UKRI, which is engaging with stakeholders on how best to embed data enabled approaches within future funding opportunities. Reporting on the portfolio of investments in alternative methods is planned for 2026.The Office for Life Sciences is also working with the Regulatory Innovation Office, industry and regulators in developing plans to support robust AI and machine learning model development for safety and toxicity testing.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.