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 981–1,000 of 5,090 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 36208 on USA: Military Alliances, what discussions he has held with his US counterparts on the ongoing commitment of the United States to the European Reassurance Initiative.
The Defence Secretary speaks with his US counterpart regularly on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. However, they have not recently discussed the US’ European Reassurance Initiative.
What military assets are tasked with the provision of physical security of UK offshore wind farm infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence keeps the security of the UK's offshore energy installations and wider maritime critical national infrastructure under continuous review, working closely with other Government Departments, industry and international partners in relation to hostile and other security related threats The Royal Navy continues to deliver persistent presence, surveillance and deterrence activity in UK waters. The government has been clear on its readiness and willingness to respond decisively to any maritime threat to the UK and its interests. Allocation of military assets is prioritised to respond to global operational needs, including the vessels and aircraft of the Royal Navy.
If he will set out the level of combat search and rescue capability of the Royal Marines Joint Personnel Recovery.
The Ministry of Defence does not routinely comment on combat search and rescue capabilities for reasons of operational security.
With reference to his Department's joint press notice entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25 March 2026, how many Russian shadow fleet vessels under UK sanctions and transiting UK waters have been assessed for boarding since the US operation to seize tanker Bella 1.
We will not go into specifics on our assessments as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against these ships, only benefitting our adversaries.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122231 on Energy: Prices, what estimate he has made of the proportion of demand made up of liquified natural gas imported from Qatar by 2035.
The Department has not made an assessment as to the proportion of demand that Qatari LNG will account for in 2035. LNG will continue to play an important role in the UK’s gas supply mix and it is the Department’s view that this will continue to arrive from a range of different countries.
What assessment has he made of the potential impact of the Russian Bagulnik-82 120mm mortar UGV as a potential threat to British forces in Estonia and Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to the evolving threat, including from drones and energy weapons.Due to operational security, we do not comment on specific capabilities.
What assessment has he made of the potential threat posed to British-flagged ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz by the Sunflower-200 kamikaze drone supplied to Iran by China.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to the evolving threat, including from drones and energy weapons.Due to operational security, we do not comment on specific capabilities.
With reference to page 24 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, by when he plans to (a) commence and (b) conclude the underpinning review.
Due to the size and complexity of Defence’s intelligence partnerships, this work is already underway and is being carried out in stages rather than as a one‑off, time‑limited review. The aim is to ensure that intelligence sharing supports Defence’s international priorities, underpins a NATO First approach, and strengthens the UK’s influence with allies and partners. As outlined in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, this work will provide recommendations by the end of 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 developing a workforce with the necessary skills set to implement the uptake of new alternative methods.
Commitments in the strategy to build a skilled workforce, including early career researchers, to support the uptake of alternative methods are led by the NC3Rs.This work is focusing on building capacity in the development and adoption of alternative methods through expanded NC3Rs-led 3Rs training, alongside targeted support for method developers and regulators. The aim is to deliver a workforce aligned with the UK’s ambitions and sector demand for non-animal methods.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
What progress he has made in procuring a replacement for the Viking T1 glider.
We are reviewing a Life Extension Plan for the Viking T1 glider. As such, there is currently no requirement to replace the glider.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Soft Power Council has submitted (a) reports and (b) formal advice to her Department since January 2025.
Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.
When was the last meeting of the Advisory Military Sub-Committee.
The Advisory Military Sub-Committee last met on 21 November 2025.
What progress has he made in updating the UK F-35B fleet with Block 4 modifications.
We do not routinely comment on detailed delivery schedules. However, the Block 4 upgrade programme continues, it did not impact the declaration of Lightning Full Operating Capability. The Block 4 upgrade programme will further develop our world leading Combat Air capability, the UK Lightning, through improvements in lethality, survivability and supportability.
Pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52039 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many void properties are in Huntingdon constituency for which the latest data is available.
As at 13 April 2026, there are 99 void Service Family Accommodation properties in the Huntingdon constituency.
What assessment he has of the potential threat posed to British-flagged ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz by the CM-302 anti-ship missile supplied to Iran by China.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to the evolving threat, including from drones and energy weapons.Due to operational security, we do not comment on specific capabilities.
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 strengthening the commitment of journal editors to publishing research using alternative methods.
The delivery of the commitment to strengthen the commitment of journal editors to publishing research using alternative methods sits with NC3Rs. As set out in the strategy, this work will be initiated at the start of 2027. To support this, NC3Rs will launch their DRIVER (Designing and Reporting In Vitro Experiments Responsibly) recommendations that underpin improved experimental design and reporting of in vitro studies in 2026.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
Whether he has had recent discussions with the hon. Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the potential closure of the Inovyn salt production facility in Runcorn.
Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inovyn on the issues facing the operation of their salt plant at Runcorn. I have exchanged correspondence with the Hon Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the matter earlier this year.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the potential closure of the Inovyn salt production facility in Runcorn on the (a) chemicals and (b) pharmaceuticals industry.
Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inovyn on the issues facing the operation of their salt plant at Runcorn. I have exchanged correspondence with the Hon Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the matter earlier this year.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing support to help prevent the closure of the Inovyn salt production facility in Cheshire.
Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inovyn on the issues facing the operation of their salt plant at Runcorn. I have exchanged correspondence with the Hon Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the matter earlier this year.
By when he plans to have integrated UK overseas defence exports personnel into Defence’s global overseas network.
The process of integrating UK overseas defence exports personnel into Defence's global network has begun. On 1 April, internationally based defence exports staff transferred from the Department for Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. Tasked by National Armaments-International, they are supported and enabled by Defence's Integrated Global Defence Network (IGDN). This arrangement will be reviewed after three months and adjusted as needed.