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.
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With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, what is the current medical status of the eight military personnel still injured after Exercise Titan Storm.
Since my Written Statement on 22 January 2026, I can confirm that there are less than five personnel remaining in the medical chain. We continue to ensure they receive necessary support.
With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, whether he will publish the Ministerial-led review into the quality of advice to Ministers, senior officials and military leadership across the MoD.
The Army safety investigation is ongoing and initial findings are expected soon. As advised in recent Written Statement, in addition to the two safety investigations, a panel of experts has been established with experience of noise and vibration to bring knowledge and challenge to this work. That panel consists of a range of experts from academia, maritime, aviation, science and medical and will also inform on human factors. I refer the hon. Member to Question 102949, which remains extant. Whilst the Army Safety Investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to release the contents of any of the reviews related to Ajax. I have, however, undertaken to keep this House updated on the Ajax programme and will continue to do so.
With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, who are the individuals appointed by him to the panel of experts with experience of noise and vibration.
The Army safety investigation is ongoing and initial findings are expected soon. As advised in recent Written Statement, in addition to the two safety investigations, a panel of experts has been established with experience of noise and vibration to bring knowledge and challenge to this work. That panel consists of a range of experts from academia, maritime, aviation, science and medical and will also inform on human factors. I refer the hon. Member to Question 102949, which remains extant. Whilst the Army Safety Investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to release the contents of any of the reviews related to Ajax. I have, however, undertaken to keep this House updated on the Ajax programme and will continue to do so.
With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, a) by when is he expecting to receive the findings of the Army Safety Investigation and b) will the report be published.
The Army safety investigation is ongoing and initial findings are expected soon. As advised in recent Written Statement, in addition to the two safety investigations, a panel of experts has been established with experience of noise and vibration to bring knowledge and challenge to this work. That panel consists of a range of experts from academia, maritime, aviation, science and medical and will also inform on human factors. I refer the hon. Member to Question 102949, which remains extant. Whilst the Army Safety Investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to release the contents of any of the reviews related to Ajax. I have, however, undertaken to keep this House updated on the Ajax programme and will continue to do so.
Food and Rural Affairs, which villages currently have functioning water pumping infrastructure in Huntingdon constituency.
Within Huntingdonshire, the Environment Agency (EA) maintains the following pumping stations: Thicket Lane (also known as Backbrook) located in Houghton, Victoria Terrace pumping station located in St Ives, and Cooks stream pumping station located in Godmanchester. Cooks stream pumping station and Victoria Terrace pumping station are both functioning. The EA is progressing a scheme to refurbish Thicket Lane which the EA expects to complete by March 2027.
What was the full scope of the Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme.
The Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme (HAAIP) aims to deliver automotive improvements across the Challenger based Heavy Tracks Fleet, Driver Training Tanks, the Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, TITAN, TROJAN, and Challenger 3. It addresses automotive performance, reliability, through life costs and maintainability out to 2040. The modifications provided by HAAIP will increase the mobility, agility and stability of the wider family of Heavy Tracked vehicles, providing a critical foundation for future enhancements and systems. Much of HAAIP’s work is supported by British Industry and supports the Strategic Defence Review’s directive to make UK Defence an engine for growth.
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 106082 on Defence Equipment: Expenditure, what was the commercial off the shelf solution procured as a replacement for Melorius.
Commercial negotiations to supply the replacement for Project MELORIUS are ongoing, it would therefore be inappropriate to provide any further details at this time.
What progress he has made in procuring (a) camouflage nets and (b) thermal sheets for vehicles in the Ajax programme.
The Ajax programme has delivered a significant number of mobile camouflage systems. Additional detail such as numbers of systems would impact operational security.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026, to question 106072 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the issue raised in the post-exercise report for Exercise Scorpion Cyclone that highlighted concerns that a stoppage on the 40mm CTA cannon causes an enforced 30min wait period that means the chain gun is inoperable and the vehicle is unarmed.
Trials and exercises are used to identify equipment issues. There is a process to ensure any issues are identified and rectified as part of the project life cycle.
Pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2926, to question 106076 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, when was the Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot round a) introduced and b) cancelled, prior to the assessment regarding whether it should be reinstated for use.
The review of options commenced in October 2022. This preliminary assessment was to determine feasibility and potential options. A stop notice was issued in December 2023 under the last Government after assessment trials were conducted.
With reference to the US joint Department of Army and Department of Energy Project Janus, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of helping develop small modular reactors.
The government is committed to delivering a new golden age of nuclear, securing an abundance of clean energy, protecting family finances, taking back control of our energy supply, and tackling the climate crisis. The government has committed almost £17bn across the Spending Review period to the most ambitious nuclear new build programme for a generation. This includes over £2.5bn across the Spending Review period to enable one of Europe’s first small modular reactor programmes. Government recognises the potential benefits offered by different uses of advanced nuclear, including: supplying electricity to the grid; off-grid solutions, including supplying data centres via private wire; and providing heat to support industrial decarbonisation. In September last year, the UK and the US signed a high-level agreement to collaborate on nuclear energy and fusion under the Tech Prosperity Deal. As part of that agreement, the Government committed to exploring opportunities for novel applications of advanced nuclear energy, including strengthening energy resilience for the Participants’ defence facilities on which we continue to engage.
How many pubs within the Huntingdon constituency are a) Free Houses and b) currently under a Pubco.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 26th January is attached.
Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026, to question 106072 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the issue raised in the post-exercise report for Exercise Scorpion Cyclone that highlighted concerns that the fuel consumption of the vehicle is 16 litres per hour and is unsustainable for deep recce.
Ajax Vehicle range and fuel consumption continue to be proved through trials and exercises. Data to date supports the vehicle being fit for a deep reconnaissance role.
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 106285 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what progress he has made in replacing the (a) Fuchs vehicle and (b) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) capability.
Options to replace the Fuchs vehicle are being explored as part of the Land Mobility Programme, within the Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme.The Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme is in its Concept Phase and is currently evaluating the Finnish led Common Armoured Vehicles System (CAVS) Programme's suitability in meeting UK's Heavy Protected Mobility requirements. All decisions are subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.
If he will set out the full scope of Commercial-X.
Commercial X, established by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in 2022, is a team of Commercial officers dedicated to disrupting and modernising Defence’s approach to acquisition while reducing bureaucracy. Its mission is to deliver groundbreaking technology and innovation to the MOD more quickly. It achieves this through three key approaches: Positive Disrupters: A team of experts in procuring and scaling innovation and digital solutions at speed. They collaborate directly with frontline teams to deliver contracts valued up to £50 million within two years, driving pace by innovating within existing processes.Modernising Procurement: A team committed to overhauling procurement processes and policies to better support fast-moving innovation, cutting through excessive bureaucracy and red tape.Specialist Skills Development: A development programme designed to build the commercial officers of the future—equipping them to be digital-savvy, risk-smart, customer-focused, and agile. Notable deliverables to date: delivery of circa 650 innovation and technology contracts with an average time to contract of 31 days, 47% faster than average timelines for similar procurements. The creation of two new platforms to support small, business-friendly buying routes where suppliers can compete for contracts in technology and innovation. Recent notable contracts include: DragonFire, Hypersonics and NATO Allied Underwater Battlespace,
What assessment has he made of the adequacy of the available number of personnel to crew HMS Iron Duke following its planned maintenance period.
The Royal Navy keeps the crewing of all Ships under continuous review through its Force Generation and personnel management processes, including during operations and maintenance periods in order to deliver units for operations required by the Defence Plan. Following completion of planned maintenance, ships will routinely be assigned an appropriately trained and qualified Ship’s Company to meet operational requirements. This approach will be adopted in any force generation activity regarding HMS IRON DUKE.
With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, by when will he publish the Defence Accident Investigation Branch triage report.
Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) triage reports are internal documents and are not published. Triage reports provide the initial detail gathered immediately following an incident as understood at that time. Investigations into Ajax remain ongoing, and time must be given to ensure that all information and evidence is considered. I will continue to keep the house informed of developments as I have done since the issue arose on Exercise Titan Storm.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Islamic State-linked a) men, b) women and c) children have been allowed to return to the UK following detention in camps within Syria.
I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 28 January on the situation in North-East Syria, and I will provide further updates to the House in due course as the situation evolves.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Syrian Democratic Forces on the repatriation of Islamic State-linked individuals to the United Kingdom from the al-Roj camp.
I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 28 January on the situation in North-East Syria, and I will provide further updates to the House in due course as the situation evolves.
What steps she has taken to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 to support the use of beyond-line-of-sight drones by police forces.
The are currently no plans to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 in relation to police drone operations because non-military state drone operations such as those undertaken by police forces and performed in the public interest are already exempt from the Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139). They still must adhere to some key provisions of the ANO to maintain aviation safety for other air users and the public.The Future of Flight programme prioritises the early adoption of drones for the delivery of public services such as the police, health, and fire and rescue.