Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

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.

Whether he has made an assessment of the risks of a) hon. Members and b) Ministers travelling in London Electric Vehicle Company taxis owned by the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Whilst the Government does not comment on specific security assessments, we maintain a robust, cross-departmental approach to ensure that official travel is conducted securely. The licensing of taxis in London is a matter for Transport for London (TfL). Any vehicle licensed to operate must meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements as set out in TfL’s Conditions of Fitness. The security of Members is a matter for the Parliamentary Security Department. For Ministers and officials handling sensitive data, the Cabinet Office and individual departments provide comprehensive information security policies and guidance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, who was (a) considered and (b) interviewed for the role of UK Ambassador to the United States in 2025.

As is normal practice, we do not publish details of unsuccessful applicants, or potential candidates, for senior roles in the diplomatic service or elsewhere in government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions did the National Security Advisor, Jonathan Powell, have with then UK Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson, regarding the Chagos Islands.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February 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.

On what date did his Department receive a written report from Lord Glassman regarding the nature of the relationship between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein.

There is no record of receipt of Lord Glasman’s report in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2026 to Question 109313 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, when he plans to (a) complete the planned upgrades and (b) deliver the vehicles back into service.

All Ajax platforms are planned to be upgraded to Capability Drop 4 by September 2029. Vehicles are delivered into service in accordance with the requirements of the Army Fielding plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2026 to Question 109313 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, whether the first 100 Ajax vehicles will be upgraded to (a) Capability Drop 3 and (b) Capability Drop 4 standard.

All 589 vehicles, including the first 100, will be retrofitted to Capability Drop 4. Some of the first 100 vehicles will move to the Capability Drop 3 standard before Capability Drop 4, others will be retrofitted directly to Capability Drop 4.

Whether any box notes were provided to the Prime Minister by the National Security Advisor regarding the alleged China Spy Case.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 23 October 2025, Official Report, column 1087.

What information does his Department hold on the role did the UK National Security Advisor had in the (a) consideration, (b) selection and (c) appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States.

I refer the Honourable Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on role that the Rt hon. Member for Tottenham had in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK Ambassador to the United States of America when he was Foreign Secretary.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February 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.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of making thatching existing properties zero-rated for VAT.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Outside of a limited number of VAT reliefs aimed at stimulating the property market, the standard VAT rate of 20 per cent applies to most construction work. This includes thatching. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. In some cases, reliefs do not represent good value for money, as there is no guarantee that savings will be passed on to consumers.

What is the UK’s contribution to the NATO special operations force.

Following the recent successful validation by NATO during Exercise Hyperion Storm, the UK is set to command NATO’s Allied Reaction Force 26 Special Operations Component Command from July 2026 to June 2027. This will involve units from the Army’s Ranger Regiment, UK Commando Force, and the Royal Air Force, forming the Joint Special Operations Headquarters for NATO, as well as the land, maritime and air Special Operations Tasks Groups under its command. Detailed planning is classified, as is the UK’s contribution to broader NATO SOF structures and activity.

How many MOD sites used by Cadets have been closed under the Future Defence Infrastructure Services programme.

No Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites used by Cadets were closed under Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) programme. FDIS is a programme within the MOD that focuses on the delivery of facilities management and infrastructure services across the Defence estate. The FDIS Accommodation Contracts came into service on 1 April 2022 and replaced the previous National Housing Prime and Regional Prime contracts.

Which MOD sites are in scope to be sold under the Defence Estates Optimisation Plan.

A list of all Ministry of Defence sites that are planned to be disposed of as part of the Defence Estate Optimisation Plan can be found on the House of Commons Defence Disposal Database. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the number of domestic thatch growers on the future of the industry.

There are approximately 25,000 listed thatched buildings in England, many more are unlisted. These buildings are a quintessential part of some of our best loved rural landscapes.Historic England, the government’s statutory advisor on heritage, carried out research into the thatching industry and domestic supply of material for thatching historic buildings. A 2024 report estimates that 80% of cereal straw grown for thatching in England is produced by around 25 English growers. In Historic England’s view, it is not necessarily the number of domestic growers that impacts the future of the industry, but their wider challenges such as mechanisation, climate and the wider supply chain.In response to their research, Historic England updated their guidance on the conservation of traditional thatch in 2025 enabling a change of thatch materials in times of shortage and in cases in urgent need of repair. This update aims to provide confidence to decision makers to grant listed building consent whilst helping to maintain support for the straw-growing sector. To disseminate its latest guidance, Historic England is holding a free workshop for thatching-straw growers in April 2026 with further research into mechanisation solutions for growers planned later this year.

How many people have been prosecuted for flying a drone in a Restricted Fly Zone around (a) closed prisons and (b) young offender institutions since January 2024.

Flying a drone in the restricted airspace around a closed prison or young offender institution is an offence contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2016. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for investigating and prosecuting this offence and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold any data in respect of it. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold any data which shows the number of defendants prosecuted and convicted of offences created by the Prison Act 1952 including the offences created by sections 40B, 40C and 40CB. Similarly, no data is held showing the method of used to convey items into or out of a prison or young offender institution. To establish how many defendants charged with these offences were prosecuted and if a drone was used would require a manual review of case files and this would be at disproportionate cost. Management information is available from 2024 which shows the number of offences charged by way of section 40B, 40C and 40CB in which a prosecution commenced. The table below shows the number of these offences from 1st January 2024 to 30th September 2025.2024January - September 2025Prison Act 1952 { 40B }344285Prison Act 1952 { 40C }193116Prison Act 1952 { 40CB }32Prison Act 1952 and section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 { 40C }1613Prison Act 1952 and section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 { 40C }7241Data Source: CPS Case Management Information SystemThe figures relate to the number of offences and not the number of individual defendants. It can be the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one offence against the same complainant. No data are held showing the final outcome or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at finalisation.

What NATO intelligence functions are based at RAF Wyton.

No NATO intelligence functions are based at RAF Wyton.

When will he lift the civil service recruitment controls in his department.

An initial month-long recruitment pause was introduced in October 2025 across the Department as one of a range of workforce levers to facilitate a measured and sustainable approach to workforce reductions. The pause has been extended and is currently being reviewed. Throughout the pause, business areas have had the flexibility to approve exemptions where there are exceptional pressures.

With reference to page 22 of the Police reform white paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing (CP1489), how can local residents find out who their named, contactable officer is.

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is ensuring a more consistent standard of neighbourhood policing across England and Wales. Every neighbourhood has named, and contactable officers dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour locally, with forces increasing patrols in town centres and other hotspots based on local demand and intelligence.Details of all named, contactable officers can be found on force websites, where the public are able to type in their postcode to find out about their neighbourhood policing team and area, local policing priorities and how to contact their neighbourhood teams.

Innovation and Technology, what information does her Department hold on the number of occasions that Ministers from her Department met with representatives from MBR Acres since 5 July 2024.

The Department has held three Ministerial meetings with MBR since 5 July 2024. All meetings were attended by Minister Vallance. The first took place on 18 July 2025 as part of a wider meeting with Contract Research Organisations (CROs). Further meetings were held on 17 September 2025 and also on 2 October 2025.