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 1,781–1,800 of 5,090 · this parliament
What assessment he made of the potential benefits of including an upper receiver which can accommodate 6.5 Creedmoor as part of Project Grayburn.
Project GRAYBURN is currently in its concept phase. An important output of this phase will be the definition of user requirements, covering the full range of performance characteristics, including calibre and operating system.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to question 72379, whether the outline business case is on track to be submitted in June 2026.
The Type 83 concept is currently under review against the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy Strategy. Future business case approval remains subject to the Defence Investment Plan.
How many MineWolf MW370 uncrewed mine and route clearance systems have been purchased by his Department.
In 2023, the Ministry of Defence procured two MineWolf MW370 systems which were donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The British Army uses various systems to deliver mine and route clearance capability, but for operational security considerations, details have been withheld.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104939 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will phase 1 of the gate refurbishment project be completed.
Phase 1 of the gate refurbishment project is expected to be completed by 31 March 2026.
Food and Rural Affairs, what is the current asset condition of a) Brownshill and b) St Ives staunch.
The current asset condition of Brownshill Staunch sluice is rated as poor (gates 1 and 2) and very poor (gate 3). The current asset condition of St Ives Staunch sluice is rated as poor. The Environment Agency carries out an accredited visual inspection of assets to assess their condition and performance every 6 – 24 months. The frequency of inspection depends on the asset’s priority.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to question 104940 on River Great Ouse: Flood Control, by when will the Environment Agency have completed their assessment of the potential flood alleviation a) benefits and b) impacts of the proposed options.
The full business case for the St Ives Staunch sluice project is currently planned for completion in late Spring 2026. This will include a high-level assessment of the benefits, impacts and costs of proposed options.
What assessment she made of the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation upon the secondary school places in Huntingdonshire.
The department is reviewing all local government reorganisation proposals to consider the potential impact on children’s services, including school places. Huntingdonshire is in tranche three of the local government reorganisation process and the statutory consultation on proposals is expected to launch in Spring 2026. I encourage all local areas to respond to the consultation. There will then be a transition period during which the department will work with local areas to support children’s services in the new authorities, including plans to ensure there are sufficient school places.
What was the role of the Permanent Secretary in the delivery of the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.
As with all major defence programmes, including Ajax, the role of the Permanent Secretary as the Departmental Accounting Officer, is to ensure the proper management of defence funds, ensuring regularity and propriety. Regarding the Army’s Ajax programme, that oversight has been brought to bear at critical programme milestones.
Pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2026 to question 103968 on High Speed 2 Line: Compulsory Purchase, how many of the 1,723 properties managed were acquired via compulsory purchase.
The majority of land and property that is acquired by compulsory purchase is not held in management or let but is utilised for the construction of the railway. Within HS2 Ltd’s managed portfolio, there are 73 properties (inclusive of residential, commercial and agricultural and forestry land) that were acquired via compulsory purchase. Further to this, there are 732 properties that were acquired via Statutory Blight, which can be considered to be under the umbrella of compulsory purchase, as this is a statutory provision whereby the issuing of a blight notice by the property owner compels the Secretary of State to acquire the property under the same terms as if a Notice to Treat had been served.
Pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 105103 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what the value is of contractual payments to General Dynamics for the Ajax programme made since 23 July 2025.
The Ministry of Defence paid General Dynamics Land Systems UK £192 million in line with contractual obligations for the Ajax programme between 23 July 2025 and 12 Jan 2026.
With reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what proportion of the weapon system will be manufactured in the UK.
As the project is at concept phase it is not clear yet what proportion of each weapon system will be manufactured in the United Kingdom but I can assure the hon. Member that it is desirable for the project to create skilled employment in the UK as set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy. As per the pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee (JROC), Project GRAYBURN will focus on UK manufacture, establishing a strategic supply relationship, the delivery of variants, reliability and engagement with industry. Whilst the role of the JROC is not to provide direction to Defence Equipment and Support specifically, they are a mandated part of the commercial process and provide invaluable support to ensure Defence needs are met by providing strategic direction and cohering activities across Defence, overseeing the delivery of strategy and monitoring performance. I can confirm that the scope of the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio ranges from pistols to machine guns.
With reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what level of a) current and b) emerging body armour the new rifle is required to be able to defeat.
Project GRAYBURN will deliver a capability that will be able to defeat most prolific body armour types used by adversaries. The project remains in its concept phase and it is therefore too early to provide additional detail. However, due to operational sensitivities I do not plan to release this information in the future.
What direction was provided to Defence Equipment and Support by the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee regarding Project GRAYBURN.
As the project is at concept phase it is not clear yet what proportion of each weapon system will be manufactured in the United Kingdom but I can assure the hon. Member that it is desirable for the project to create skilled employment in the UK as set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy. As per the pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee (JROC), Project GRAYBURN will focus on UK manufacture, establishing a strategic supply relationship, the delivery of variants, reliability and engagement with industry. Whilst the role of the JROC is not to provide direction to Defence Equipment and Support specifically, they are a mandated part of the commercial process and provide invaluable support to ensure Defence needs are met by providing strategic direction and cohering activities across Defence, overseeing the delivery of strategy and monitoring performance. I can confirm that the scope of the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio ranges from pistols to machine guns.
With reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what criteria will be required to be fulfilled to distinguish between the a) Dismounted Close Combat and b) Generalist variants.
The decision on who needs a Dismounted Close Combat rifle versus a Generalist rifle will be based upon a wide range of criteria. The exact criteria will be determined during the Concept Phase. However, the list of criteria is likely to include the user role, likely engagement ranges, their likely targets, plus human factors. Decisions on barrel length will also be determined during the Concept Phase. The barrel length of each variant will be based upon considerations such as user role (for example, Light Infantry, Light Calvary, Armoured), likely engagement ranges, likely targets, and human factors.
With reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what weapons are included within the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio.
As the project is at concept phase it is not clear yet what proportion of each weapon system will be manufactured in the United Kingdom but I can assure the hon. Member that it is desirable for the project to create skilled employment in the UK as set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy. As per the pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee (JROC), Project GRAYBURN will focus on UK manufacture, establishing a strategic supply relationship, the delivery of variants, reliability and engagement with industry. Whilst the role of the JROC is not to provide direction to Defence Equipment and Support specifically, they are a mandated part of the commercial process and provide invaluable support to ensure Defence needs are met by providing strategic direction and cohering activities across Defence, overseeing the delivery of strategy and monitoring performance. I can confirm that the scope of the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio ranges from pistols to machine guns.
With reference to pipeline notice 2026/S 000-002873 regarding Project Grayburn, what barrel length is required to fulfil the criteria of a) Dismounted Close Combat and b) Dismounted Close Combat (Short) and c) Personal Defence Weapon variants.
The decision on who needs a Dismounted Close Combat rifle versus a Generalist rifle will be based upon a wide range of criteria. The exact criteria will be determined during the Concept Phase. However, the list of criteria is likely to include the user role, likely engagement ranges, their likely targets, plus human factors. Decisions on barrel length will also be determined during the Concept Phase. The barrel length of each variant will be based upon considerations such as user role (for example, Light Infantry, Light Calvary, Armoured), likely engagement ranges, likely targets, and human factors.
What the out-of-service date is for Stormer.
The current Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for the platforms can be found in the table below: PlatformOSDsFuchs2029Stormer2028 (extended from 2026)Terrier2043Titan2032Trojan2040 OSDs are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilities it requires to deliver against Defence commitments.
How many operational SSN’s were at sea as of 1 January 2026.
It is UK policy not to disclose the operational availability or deployment details of submarines, including SSNs, as doing so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of our Armed Forces.
What the out-of-service date is for Fuchs CBRN.
The current Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for the platforms can be found in the table below: PlatformOSDsFuchs2029Stormer2028 (extended from 2026)Terrier2043Titan2032Trojan2040 OSDs are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilities it requires to deliver against Defence commitments.
What the out-of-service date is for a) Terrier, b) Titan and c) Trojan.
The current Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for the platforms can be found in the table below: PlatformOSDsFuchs2029Stormer2028 (extended from 2026)Terrier2043Titan2032Trojan2040 OSDs are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilities it requires to deliver against Defence commitments.