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 1,121–1,140 of 4,549 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2026 to question 108357 on Syria: Islamic State, how many Islamic State-linked individuals have been repatriated to the United Kingdom from the al-Roj camp.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February 2025 in response to Question 27530.
What is the in-service date of HMS Venturer.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2026 to the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois) to Question 108597.
Within which Ministry of Defence a) projects and b) programmes are Palantir currently involved.
Palantir is used across a range of Defence data‑analytics and integration activities, with deployment decided by individual Delivery Teams rather than tied to a single defined list of projects or programmes. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not routinely publish a list of all individual projects or programmes using specific software platforms. However, all use of Palantir is governed by strict contractual controls ensuring United Kingdom Defence data remains sovereign and under MOD direction at all times.
What policing powers Border Force personnel hold.
Border Force immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales may utilise some powers set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 as applied by The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales) Order 2013.In Northern Ireland, Border Force immigration officers and designated customs officials may utilise some powers set out in The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 as applied by The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026.In Scotland, The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2018 applies relevant provisions from the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 to Border Force immigration officers and designated customs officials.Additionally, section 2 of the UK Borders Act 2007 provides a power for designated immigration officers in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to detain an individual they think are subject to a warrant for arrest or may be liable to arrest by a constable under certain sections of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, or the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, subject to a certificate under section 74B of the Extradition Act 2003. Designated immigration officers may detain such individuals for up to three hours pending the arrival of a constable.
Pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026, to question 110946 on Navy: Artificial Intelligence, what assessment has he made of the potential level of need for integration between the Maritime Fighting Web and the Digital Targeting Web.
The Maritime Fighting Web and the Digital Targeting Web are both elements of Defence’s broader programme to improve data‑driven decision making and effects delivery across the Integrated Force. The initiatives are designed for seamless integration to enable rapid maritime awareness, threat assessment, and coordinated action The Royal Navy is progressing plans to strengthen its dedicated maritime targeting function, so that it can more effectively contribute to joint and multi‑domain targeting activity and support an Integrated Force able to operate at greater speed, precision and scale. All future capabilities are dependent on the outcome of Defence Investment Plan.
What discussions he had with Peter Mandelson, whilst he was the UK Ambassador to the United States, on Palantir, prior to the awarding of the contract with the Ministry of Defence.
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to question 109314 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what were the objections expressed by Mauritius regarding the creation of the Marine Protected Area.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 109314 on 09 February 2026.
What discussions has he held with his cabinet colleagues on retaining sovereign military helicopter manufacturing capability.
Cabinet colleagues engage in discussions about defence capabilities, which are supported by the Defence Industrial Strategy. This strategy highlights the Government's commitment to preserving sovereign capabilities, playing a crucial role in supporting jobs and prosperity throughout the United Kingdom.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in response to the question from the hon. Member for Huntingdon of 9 February 2026, Official Report, column 583, if he will set out the vetting process that was followed for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States.
I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2026 to question 109313 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many of the first 100 vehicles have had their hulls inspected to ensure there are no faults since being withdrawn from service.
Inspection of hulls takes place as part of the upgrade of all Ajax vehicles to Capability Drop 3 (CD3). To date, 17 vehicles from the first 100 hulls have been upgraded to CD3 and therefore inspected as part of that process.
What role Chris Wormald played in the (a) selection and (b) appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States.
I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department held with the Mauritian Government on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in (a) January 2009 and (b) July 2009.
The then government explained to Parliament in 2009 that the purpose of the meetings in 2009 was to establish a dialogue between the UK and Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory. Officials set out their respective views on the issue of sovereignty at that time. There were discussions on other issues, including fishing rights, environmental concerns, and future visits to the territory by members of the Chagossian community.It was not until 2022, under the immediately preceding government, that negotiations regarding sovereignty began. That government then undertook 11 rounds of negotiations on sovereignty and related matters, with the last public update on progress being issued on 29 April 2024.
What discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the a) operation and b) alignment of Local Criminal Justice Boards within future policing structures.
The Government recognises the important role Local Criminal Justice Boards play as the forum where local criminal justice system partners collaborate, and the Ministry of Justice remain committed to supporting them. The Ministry of Justice is working closely with the Home Office to ensure they collectively understand how local criminal justice governance, including the operation of Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs), will operate under any new policing model.In tandem, the Government is considering the recommendations in Part II of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts relating to the operation and governance of LCJBs and will respond to them in the coming months.
With which company Cambridgeshire Constabulary has a contract for the provision of body armour for a) firearms and b) roads policing officers.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary maintains its own procurement function and the Home Office does not hold information on ongoing or prior contractual arrangements.
What assessment has he made of the potential negative impact of removing parachute infantry deployment as a capability.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) considered all aspects of Defence, including military parachuting capabilities. The SDR recommended that airborne parachute capability and capacity should remain focused on specialists and a single battalion group. The Government accepted the recommendations of the SDR in full and will publish the Defence Investment Plan as soon as possible to set out the plan for its implementation.
What assessment she has made of the level of difficulty in obtaining a) home and b) buildings insurance for thatched buildings.
The government has not made a specific assessment regarding the availability of home insurance for thatched buildings. Insurers make commercial decisions about pricing and the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The UK’s home insurance market is competitive, with many providers offering a variety of insurance products. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of financial services, has a statutory objective to promote competition in the interests of consumers. The government would always recommend that consumers shop around to find the most suitable cover at the best price. For more specialised risks, such as thatched roofing, it may be helpful for consumers to consult an insurance broker, who will be able to help search the market for specialist providers.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of growing water reed for the purposes of thatching materials within the Great Fen project.
Defra, Natural England, and Environment Agency are working closely with our Great Fen partners to look at the benefits of paludiculture (wetter farming) and trialling a range of diversification options. This is vital to enable thriving and sustainable rural businesses, protection of our precious lowland peat resources, and enhance biodiversity. The Great Fen provides opportunity to act to test these principles, and will be looking at the benefits of growing reed and a host of other crop types for food and fibre.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the (a) Philippines Army’s Sabrah Light Tank and b) the Spanish Army’s VCZAP Castor’s ASCOD2 chassis.
The Army routinely assesses which vehicles are most appropriate to meet specific capability requirements. The base platform of the Philippines Army’s Sabrah Light Tank is the ASCOD 2 chassis. At present, the British Army has no requirement for a light tank capability. However, it continues to monitor employment of such systems, alongside broader global developments in armoured fighting vehicles. The Spanish Army’s VCZAP Castor is the combat engineering variant of the ASCOD 2 chassis. Under the Armoured Cavalry programme, the Army is introducing the ARGUS variant of the Ajax family, which will deliver an advanced engineer reconnaissance function. Together with the existing Trojan and Terrier platforms, ARGUS will provide the Army with a comprehensive suite of combat engineering capabilities.
On what date the contract for body armour between Mehler Vario System GmbH and Cambridgeshire Constabulary expired.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary maintains its own procurement function and the Home Office does not hold information on ongoing or prior contractual arrangements.
What was the total value of the government-to-government defence sales agreement for the transfer of the former Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Enterprise to Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the financial details or payment structures of bilateral defence sales, including the transfer of HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Government, due to commercial and operational sensitivities.