Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What is the delivery timeline for the (a) 61 M270 MLRS launchers and (b) eight Repair and Recovery vehicles.

The Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers and Repair and Recovery Vehicles (RRVs) are on contract to be upgraded to the A2 standard. Two launchers have now been delivered to the UK and a further 13 launchers and two RRVs are currently on the production line for delivery in 2026. The whole MLRS fleet is being upgraded in four tranches with the final deliveries estimated to be complete by 2029.

What progress he has made in upgrading the M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to A2 standard.

The Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers and Repair and Recovery Vehicles (RRVs) are on contract to be upgraded to the A2 standard. Two launchers have now been delivered to the UK and a further 13 launchers and two RRVs are currently on the production line for delivery in 2026. The whole MLRS fleet is being upgraded in four tranches with the final deliveries estimated to be complete by 2029.

What progress he has made in procuring a) GMLRS and b) ER-GMLRS munitions.

Replenishment of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) stockpile is on contract with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the UK in Quarter two 2026. The procurement of Extended Range GMLRS (ER-GMLRS) is on contract with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the UK in 2028.

What is the current size of the Royal Artillery’s M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems fleet.

The Ministry of Defence has an operational fleet of 21 M270B1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, comprising launcher and repair and recovery vehicle variants.

How many M270 launchers have been procured from Norway.

The UK has acquired 11 M270A0 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems launchers from Norway.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of proposed local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire on her proposed plans to reform SEND provision in that area.

The department is reviewing all local government reorganisation (LGR) proposals to consider the potential impact on education and children’s services, including plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities provision. Huntingdonshire is in tranche three of the LGR process and the statutory consultation on proposals will close on 26 March. I encourage all local areas to respond to the consultation.

Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board on the potential exclusion of players on the grounds of nationality.

We were concerned to hear of the reports on potential exclusion of players on the grounds of nationality and have discussed with the ECB directly who have put out a clear position confirming that nationality should not be a factor in the selection of players. More generally, we are clear that cricket must be a sport that is inclusive and open to all. Last March, I attended the launch of the Chance to Shine 2025 Impact Report at the House of Lords. This highlighted how the power of cricket can play a significant role in transforming young people’s lives and its ability to reach into underserved communities.

How many armed forces personnel have qualified for the operational allowance each year since its introduction.

It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

How much is projected a) overall and b) core spending on defence in i) 2025/26, ii) 2026/27 and iii) 2027/28.

The Department does not routinely publish forecast figures. The Government is committed to defence spending reaching 2.6% of GDP in 2027 and is on track to do so.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of RAF Fairford by the United States Air Force to launch offensive military action on UK security.

The United States requested permission to use British bases for the limited, defensive purpose of preventing Iranian missiles from killing civilians, British nationals, or our allies in countries that played no part in the initial strike. Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependant on the nature and purpose of their activity.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of China's no first use nuclear strike policy.

The UK’s nuclear policy, most recently outlined in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, remains unchanged. The UK does not believe China’s No First Use policy is credible. It is extremely unlikely that in extreme circumstances a state in possession of nuclear weapons would not be willing to use them. China continues to expand and diversify its nuclear arsenal and fails to explain the rationale and intent behind its modernisation and how this aligns with its doctrine.

Which units form the UK's contribution to the NATO Allied Reaction Force Special Operations Component.

The United Kingdom will assume leadership of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) Special Operations Component from July 2026 to June 2027. As part of this commitment, the UK is providing the Special Operations Component Command headquarters, responsible for commanding multinational Special Operations task groups held at high readiness for NATO collective defence and crisis response tasks. UK contributions to the ARF Special Operations Forces element principally comprise personnel drawn from the Royal Marines Commando Force, the Ranger Regiment and supporting Royal Air Force elements, forming maritime, land and air Special Operations Task Groups under NATO command. These forces will operate alongside contributions from Allied nations as part of the multinational ARF framework.

With reference to page 44 of the Police reform white paper “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” (CP1489), what is the earliest date by which she plans to stand up a delivery programme equipped to deliver the full suite of mergers by the end of the next Parliament.

We will imminently launch an Independent Review of Police Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum number and configuration of police forces across England and Wales and the best approach to implementation.The Government will subsequently set out its response to the recommendations and identify a pathway for implementing the new force structures, including any opportunities to deliver mergers this Parliament.

If the Attorney General whether he provided advice to (a) the Prime Minister and (b) the Secretary of State for Local Government on the original decision to cancel local elections in May 2026.

By long standing convention, whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.This convention protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the first meeting with the Government of Mauritius, after 5th July 2024, attended by National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell in association with her department.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question 115118 on 3 March.

What progress has she made in maturing the eVisa programme.

eVisas were introduced in 2018 and are replacing physical evidence of immigration status such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) and vignettes.The Minister for Migration and Citizenship provided an update on the transition to a digital immigration system, which included progress made in the latest transition phase of the rollout of eVisas, in his statement made on 25 February 2026: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.There are now over 10 million eVisa holders, including approximately 6 million EUSS status holders. Over 5 million online (UKVI) accounts were created between March 2024 and January 2026, enabling people to access their eVisa.The transition to eVisas is being carefully delivered in phases, with the latest significant milestone reached on 25 February 2026, from when successful applicants for visit visas will receive an eVisa instead of a vignette, as set out in the Minister’s statement. Vignettes for most other routes have already been phased out.By the end of 2026, the Government intends to stop issuing all physical visa vignette stickers in passports, with all successful visa applicants receiving an eVisa.

What progress has he made in developing an airborne electromagnetic attack capability running proven counter-C5ISRT software, including third-party software applications.

I welcome innovation across the Defence industrial sector. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the importance of the Electromagnetic battlespace and is pursuing a number of options, both in the near-term and in the research and development programme, to address military needs.

What progress she has made in implementing nationwide E-HGV charging infrastructure.

Through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, Government has already provided £120 million of funding to kickstart the deployment of zero emission HGV infrastructure. This is funding 73 planned infrastructure locations, representing over 360 chargers. The Government is further supporting the installation of charging equipment at depots through the £30 million Depot Charging Scheme. We will set out further detail in a zero emission HGV and Coach Infrastructure Strategy in due course.

What assessment has he made of the efficiency of the current grid access prioritisation process.

Government has worked closely with the National Energy System Operator and network companies on their programme of connections reforms which have already reduced the queue for generation and storage connections by over half. NESO and the network companies have recently set out a revised timeline for issuing updated connections agreements.

What the scope is of the UK's participation in Project Convergence.

Project Convergence is a series of multinational experiments led by the United States Army Futures Command to test, integrate, and evaluate emerging technologies that enable faster, data driven decision making across domains. The United Kingdom participates in Project Convergence as part of its long-standing cooperation with the United States Army on future force development, experimentation, and interoperability. The British Army’s participation ensures that it remains interoperable, digitally connected and prepared for the future demands of conflict.