Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

On what date did the Army Safety Investigation Team investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm a) commence and b) conclude.

As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact on domestic energy prices of the damage to the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, caused by the Iranian missile strike on 18 March 2026.

The Prime Minister has condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian strikes on Gulf oil and gas facilities. The UK benefits from a strong and diverse security of energy supplies, with only around 1% of the UK's gas supply coming from Qatar. Thanks to the actions we took in the Budget, the price cap is fixed from 1 April until the end of June – meaning household energy bills will go down for its three-month duration. As Ofgem have said, it is “genuinely it is too early to tell” the impact of this conflict on the next price cap.

What progress he has made on transitioning the UK’s remaining blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces.

In March 2025 Jingye rejected an offer of substantial financial support to convert the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces. More recently we have been in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of British Steel.British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HM Government’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We are seeking to resolve the future of British Steel and our long-term aspiration for the UK steel sector will require co-investment with the private sector, as appropriate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 116964 on Armed Conflict: Iran, when the Government was informed.

In line with policy under successive administrations, the government does not routinely comment on operational matters.

What steps has she taken to review the current status of land for environmental mitigation along the A14.

National Highways has assessed the status of the land and is taking steps to improve its condition, including replanting substantial numbers of trees, protecting ecological sites and creating new wildlife habitats.

How the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement allocation for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was derived.

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) does not receive the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which is made available to eight of England’s largest city regions. Other areas, including the CPCA, receive different funding streams, which from 2026/27 will be consolidated to provide greater flexibility. This funding includes Highways Maintenance, Local Transport Grant and bus funding. Details of this funding was provided to places in December 2025.

What discussions he has had with Jingye on the timeline for converting the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces.

In March 2025 Jingye rejected an offer of substantial financial support to convert the Scunthorpe steelworks to electric arc furnaces. More recently we have been in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of British Steel.British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HM Government’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We are seeking to resolve the future of British Steel and our long-term aspiration for the UK steel sector will require co-investment with the private sector, as appropriate.

On which date was the decision taken to recommence testing of the Ajax vehicle platform.

As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.

What was the outcome of the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm.

As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.

What was the outcome of the Army Safety Investigation Team investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm.

As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.

On what date did the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the noise and vibration injuries sustained on Exercise Titan Storm a) commence and b) conclude.

As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026, to Question 121200 on HMS Duncan, is HMS Duncan currently a) safe, b) capable, and c) endorsed for tasking.

For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not give detailed information on past or current levels of readiness for individual Royal Navy warships.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason did Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority not qualify for the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund.

The Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund's place selection methodology is available online: Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund: policy statement - GOV.UK. This sets out that places were selected based on:their growth potential using Gross Domestic Product per head to measure distance from UK average productivity; andstrategic, financial and risk management capability, evidenced by agreed shared Local Growth Plan priorities and readiness for an Integrated Settlement by 2026/27.Based on those criteria, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority did not qualify for the fund.

What is the average length of time for each Type-45 Fleet Time Support Period.

Fleet Time Support Periods (FTSPs) for Type 45 Destroyers vary in duration depending on the scope of scheduled maintenance, operational commitments, capability insertions and any emergent work identified once the vessel enters the maintenance period.

What comparative assessments have been conducted between Ajax and like-for-like competitor vehicles which could replace it; and which vehicles have been compared.

Our focus has been, and continues to be, ensuring that AJAX is safe for our soldiers to use. In considering the future of AJAX, several alternative platforms were assessed. I intend to update the House to outline next steps after Easter recess.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the potential cancellation of the the Ajax programme and (b) levels of Ajax export contracts on levels of employment in Merthyr Tydfil.

The Armoured Cavalry Programme's contract has a range of remedies available including but not limited to, step in rights, demand recovery plans, or terminate should its cancellation ever be necessary. While the future of the Merthyr Tydfil factory and future exports is a matter for General Dynamics Land Systems UK, I have frequent engagement with representatives from General Dynamics, the Welsh Government and the local MPs regarding the Ajax platform. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026 to Question 117963 on Firearms: Licensing, what steps are detailed in the action plan on how the three police forces intend to address the issues in the accelerated cause of concern.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) issued an accelerated cause of concern notice to the Chief Constables of the three forces involved in the tripartite firearms licensing arrangement involving Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire Constabulary on 9 January 2026. The notice requested that the three Chief Constables set out in an action plan how they intended to address the issues set out in the notice within 28 working days.The three Chief Constables responded to HMICFRS within the specified deadline and the content of their response to the Inspectorate, who are independent of Government, was not shared with the Home Office.

What is the current total remuneration of the National Armaments Director.

The total remuneration package for the National Armaments Director (NAD) is in line with the maximum advertised. The base salary for the role is currently £400,000. In addition, the NAD is also eligible for an annual performance award of up to 60% of base salary. However, as year-end performance has yet to be reviewed no such award has been made. If such an award were made for 2025-26 it would be prorated in light of the NAD having been employed part way through the year. The NAD’s eligibility for other benefits is the same as for other MOD Civilian SCS4 posts in terms of pension and travel benefits. Values for these will be reported in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts alongside any prorated 2025-26 annual performance award value.

With reference to HCWS1269, published on 22 January 2026, which individuals comprised the panel of experts with experience of noise and vibration chosen by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry.

An Independent Expert Panel Review of the programme is ongoing; it would therefore not be appropriate to comment on the individuals involved at this time.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89778 on Prisons: Construction, on what date did ISG Construction Limited cease on-site work at HMP Leyhill.

ISG Construction Limited ceased work on all Ministry of Justice sites on the date of their administration, 20 September 2024. This included the expansion at HMP Erlestoke.Although the sites at HMP Leyhill, HMP Ford and HMP Standford Hill were due to be completed by ISG, the projects were still in their design stage at this time and on-site works had not yet started before the company went into administration.