Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 801–820 of 4,549 · this parliament
What progress has he made in implementing Project SYNERGIA.
Project SYNERGIA has been implemented.As the project supports research and development activity for future Counter Uncrewed Aerial System capability, it will remain in use until a core capability has been procured.
What assessment has he made of the level of threat posed by China towards the first and second island chain following the reduction in US military magazine depth during Operation Epic Fury.
As part of its routine responsibilities, UK Defence conducts assessments of the military capabilities of other states including in the Indo-Pacific. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments are not made public.
Which T23 is scheduled to deploy on Operation Firecrest as part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group.
Detail on Operation Firecrest can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-carrier-strike-group-to-deploy-to-north-atlantic-to-keep-uk-safe I am unable to comment further at this time to do so would compromise the security of our forces and effectiveness of operations. Further detail about Operation Firecrest will be provided in due course.
By which date is HMS Dauntless scheduled to complete her current Fleet Time Support Period.
HMS Dauntless is presently engaged in her Fleet Time Support Period in line with the Royal Navy’s planned maintenance cycle. In accordance with established practice, the Royal Navy does not routinely comment on the detailed operational programme of its vessels
What assessment has he made of the level of risk posed by the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missile to Royal Navy ships.
As part of its routine responsibilities, the Royal Navy carries out comprehensive analyses of potential threats to its operations and assets. To protect operational security and safeguard national defence interests, the results of these assessments are not made public.
What his planned timetable is for approving MHC Block 2 of Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles.
The Royal Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme is being delivered in incremental blocks to ensure capability can be introduced and enhanced at pace. First of class Block 1 systems are entering service and undergoing operational evaluation. Approval of the Full Business Case for Block 2 is on track to achieve a Minimum Deployable Capability by the end of 2030.
Which F-35B squadron will deploy on Operation Firecrest.
I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 119565 provided on 18 March 2026.
What air-to-air counter-drone engagement training is currently provided to a) Typhoon and b) F-35B pilots.
Using both live flying and realistic synthetic training simulation, Typhoon and F-35B Lightning aircrew continuously train for countering and defeating the full spectrum of airborne threats including drones.
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of adopting the Mk22 Advanced Sniper Rifle for the UK Armed Forces.
Work to consider the future sniper rifle for UK Armed Forces is currently in a pre-concept project, and as such formal consideration of systems and specifications has not yet taken place.
Elements of which squadron are the four additional RAF Typhoons deployed to Cyprus.
It is Government policy not to comment on operational security issues, therefore we will not be providing further details on this matter.
What is the decision point for the deployment of RFA Lyme Bay to the Eastern Mediterranean.
RFA Lyme Bay has sailed from Gibraltar, available for maritime tasks in the region should they be required.
Pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026 to question 118316 on Special Educational Needs: Cambridgeshire, if she will publish the monthly data on Cambridgeshire’s education, health and care plan timeliness.
The department publishes information on the number of education, health and care (EHC) plans that are issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe. Excluding cases where exceptions apply, the number and percentage of plans issued within this timeframe for both Cambridgeshire and England are available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/b46a4968-aafd-4bd6-948a-08de4155ee12.Information on EHC plans maintained by local authorities, including requests for an EHC needs assessment, the number of assessments carried out, the number where a decision is made to assess, and the number of plans issued within 20 weeks, are included in the annual statistical release. The latest January 2025 statistics were published in June 2025 here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans/2025.The department monitors Cambridgeshire’s EHC plan timeliness through regular monitoring meetings. The information shared at these meetings is not published but informs the support and challenge that the department provides.Furthermore, as set out in the recent Schools White Paper and its associated consultation, the department is consulting on proposals to reform the special educational needs and disabilities system, including to ensure that the information, advice and guidance provided offers effective support for children, young people and their families, and promotes greater fairness across the system. The consultation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.
How many Royal Navy frigates were ordered between a) 1980 -1997, b) 1997-2010 ) 2010-2024 and d) since 5th July 2024.
Royal Navy force structure and procurement plans are kept under continuous review.The number of Royal Navy frigates ordered in each period is as follows:(a) 1980–1997: 24(b) 1997–2010: None(c) 2010–2024: 13 (A number of these slots have been ceded as part of the Norwegian deal. The delta is yet to be made up through additional orders, and this will be a consideration of the Defence Investment Plan).(d) Since 5 July 2024: None.Seventeen other major warships were ordered in the period since 1980, including three assault ships, six Type 45 Destroyers; six River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels; and two Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. This number does not include ships converted from commercial service, coastal patrol and training vessels, survey vessels, mine countermeasures vessels, submarines or Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.
How HMS Dragon will be deconflicted with NATO naval assets from a) the United States, b) France, c) Greece, d) Spain, e) Italy, f) the Netherlands and g) other allies once it arrives in the Eastern Mediterranean.
HMS Dragon is a sovereign UK deployment to protect the interests of the UK, and the interests of our allies in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Royal Navy routinely operates alongside partners and allies, enabling the deconfliction of maritime and aviation assets to be embedded within routine operating procedures. Full details remain classified to ensure UK operational advantage.
Under what command structure will HMS Dragon be under upon arrival in the Eastern Mediterranean in order to ensure protection of Cyprus is coordinated with the naval presence of NATO allies in the region.
HMS Dragon is a sovereign UK deployment to protect the interests of the UK, and the interests of our allies in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Royal Navy routinely operates alongside partners and allies, enabling the deconfliction of maritime and aviation assets to be embedded within routine operating procedures. Full details remain classified to ensure UK operational advantage.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2026 to Question 111272 on RAF Wyton: NATO, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of constructing a new NATO-specific building to facilitate a NATO intelligence gathering function at RAF Wyton.
The UK remains fully committed to NATO and continues to meet its longstanding obligations through close cooperation and collaboration with Allies across the Alliance. This work strengthens collective security and enhances shared situational awareness, from which the UK also benefits.
Pursuant to the correction of 10 March 2026 to Question 115634 on Ministry of Justice: ICT, for what reason here was a discrepancy of 510 laptops, mobile phones and electronic devices recorded as lost or stolen between the original answer of 3 March 2026 and the correction of 10 March 2026.
When the previous (incorrect) answer was provided, it was the result of a simple search being run against criteria in the service management system and the result published.When the corrected response was provided, it was a result of a manual search through records ensuring that duplicates were removed, and then checked against the ID numbers of assets known to be present.
From what date is the Royal Navy due to commence its commitment to NATO Standing Naval Maritime Group 1.
The Royal Navy routinely contributes to NATO's Standing Naval Forces, including Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), as part of the UK's ongoing commitment to Alliance deterrence and defence. The specific dates of UK deployments are subject to operational planning and security considerations, but the UK continues to meet all NATO readiness and force generation requirements.
When is HMS Bangor due to complete its refit.
HMS BANGOR is not in refit; the ship is undergoing structural repairs following the ship's recovery from deployed operations. These are currently scheduled to have been completed by the end of April 2026.
What steps he has taken to procure a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System to counter incoming a) rockets, b) artillery, c) mortars and d) drones.
Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.