Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What progress he has made in updating the Government War Book.

The UK has well-developed contingency plans to respond to a wide range of eventualities. The plans and supporting arrangements have been developed, refined and tested over many years. They are risk-based, built on the principle of generic capabilities able to respond to a wide range of events, augmented by specific, niche capabilities, where needed and warranted by the risk.Developing plans for civilian assistance to the military in a time of conflict is a key component of the Cabinet Office’s Home Defence Programme (HDP). It is an ongoing programme of work which provides defence, security and resilience planning, focused on aligning military and civil effort in the event of a period of crisis and international hostilities affecting the UK. This work is informed by and reflects the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.

Whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

What progress he has made in implementing the Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy.

The Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy will ensure aviation remains capable and sustainable as the Royal Navy transitions to a Hybrid Navy of crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous platforms that will redefine maritime military power. Progress is being made across force generation, operating models and capability development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the UK supported the nomination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN Committee for Program and Coordination on 8 April 2026.

The Hon Member is misinformed. The Asia-Pacific Group of states agreed within their group to put forward Iran, India, Japan and Pakistan as candidates for the four available regional seats on the committee in question. As per normal practice, those regional nominations went forward without a vote, with no expression of support from the UK.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the maritime interdiction of Russian Shadow Fleet vessels in British waters on asylum applications from Russian service personnel.

The Home Office is working closely with other Government departments in relation to the Russian Shadow Fleet. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on those discussions or on security matters.The Home Office monitors impacts of HMG actions, policy changes and world events on our assessment of asylum applications.

What progress he has made on waiving dependent visa fees for foreign and commonwealth veterans.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5 January 2026, to Question 101187.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Crest Nicholson’s option on the surplus land at RAF Wyton from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on Project Fairfax.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold an option agreement with Crest Nicholson in relation to the surplus land at RAF Wyton. Instead, the MOD has a development management agreement with Crest Nicholson. This agreement supports the MOD’s promotion of the site for redevelopment by managing town planning, funding, and scheme implementation on behalf of the MOD. The MOD will continue to hold discussions with Crest Nicholson as work on the project develops.

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 she has made in positioning the UK as a global leader in alternative methods.

The Government is positioning the UK as a global leader in alternative methods by strengthening regulatory confidence through MHRA reform and investing in validation infrastructure and skills, supporting UK leadership by setting international benchmarks for how alternative methods are developed, assessed and adopted.As part of this, we are scoping opportunities for international engagement at both multilateral and bilateral level, including plans to bring together international regulators to discuss the expansion of existing partnerships, the establishment of new partnerships, and priorities of mutual importance.The Government will publish a delivery update later in 2026, alongside a set of key performance indicators covering all elements of the strategy.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

With reference to Heading 9 entitled Court Martial Results for 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, what sentence was handed down in response to each of the 26 guilty verdicts.

The information the hon. Member has requested has been grouped together by defendant, as follows: Sentence of Defendant 1Charge 1: Dismissed from His Majesty's Service, 14 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years with a requirement to undertake 240 hours unpaid work and up to 30 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days.Charge 2: No separate penalty. Overall sentence: Dismissed from His Majesty's Service and sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a requirement to undertake 240 hours unpaid work and up to 30 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days. Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for five years. Sentence of Defendant 2On charges 1 to 3: Eight Months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months’ and subject to a Suspended Sentence Order with a requirement to undertake 210 hours unpaid work within 12 months and up to 40 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days. Sentences to run concurrently to each other. Dismissed from His Majesty's Service and reduced to the ranks.Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for seven years. Overall sentence: Dismissed from His Majesty’s Service and reduced to the ranks. Sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and subject to a Suspended Sentence Order with a requirement to undertake 210 hours unpaid work within 12 months and up to 40 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days. Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for seven years. Sentence of Defendant 3Charges 1 to 9: 18 Months’ imprisonment, suspended for two yearsCharges 10 and 11: Six month’s imprisonment, suspended for two years. To run concurrently with charges 1 to 9.Required to attend up to 25 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days. To attend up to 30 days of an accredited programme and undertake 140 hours unpaid work within the community.Dismissed from His Majesty's Service.Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for ten years. Overall sentence: Dismissed from His Majesty’s Service and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years with a requirement to attend up to 25 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days and undertake 140 hours unpaid work within the community. Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for ten years Sentence of Defendant 4Charges 1 to 5: 12 Months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years with a requirement to undertake 240 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, up to 20 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days, programme requirement up to 42 sessions. Sentence for charges 1 to 5 run concurrently with each other.Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for ten years.Overall sentence: Sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a requirement to undertake 240 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, undertake up to 20 Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement days and comply with a programme requirement of up to 42 sessions. Subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sex Offenders Register for ten years.The defendant was no longer serving at the time of their Court Martial – therefore dismissal was not required as part of their sentence. Sentence of Defendant 5Charge 1: 122 Days’ Service detention, dismissed from His Majesty's Service and subject to the Sexual Harm Prevention Register and Sex Offenders Register for five yearsCharge 2: Same as charge 1 to run concurrentlyCharge 3: Same as charge 1 to run concurrently. Overall sentence: Dismissed from His Majesty’s Service and sentenced to 122 days’ Service detention and subject to the Sexual Harm Prevention Register and Sex Offenders Register for five years. Sentence of Defendant 6Charge 1: Six months' Service detentionCharge 2: No separate penaltyDismissed from His Majesty's Service Subject to the Sexual Harm Prevention Register and Sex Offenders Register for five years.Overall sentence: Dismissed from His Majesty’s Service and sentenced to six months’ Service detention. Subject to the Sexual Harm Prevention Register and Sex Offenders Register for five years.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.