Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Attaché network for engaging with overseas partners.

The effectiveness of the Defence Attaché (DA) network is subject to continuous assessment through diplomatic feedback, and operational impact reviews and the intelligence reporting received from the host nation. The outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review have the potential to see the expansion and growth of the DA network, thereby having an intrinsic link to its level of effectiveness. Recent assessments indicate that the DA network continues to play a critical role in strengthening strategic alliances, enhancing interoperability with key allies and partners, facilitating defence exports, and advancing bilateral agreements.

What his policy is on maintaining a military presence in the Kingdom of Brunei.

This Government is committed to maintaining our unique defence relationship with Brunei. His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Prime Minister signed the five-yearly renewal of the Garrison Agreement in December 2024, which signals His Majesty the Sultan's wish to maintain British military presence in Brunei.

What discussions he has had with the new US Administration on NATO defence spending levels.

The Defence Secretary held an introductory call with the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on 31 January 2025. The Defence Secretary welcomed that 23 Allies are now hitting the 2% target but both discussed the need for all Allies to do more – to support Ukraine, tackle shared threats and safeguard the Alliance’s future. The Defence Secretary looked forward to meeting Secretary Hegseth at NATO Defence Ministers.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the relationship between the Kingdom of Brunei and China.

The Secretary of State for Defence has not had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on this matter. The Ministry of Defence has discussed matters relating to the Kingdom of Brunei and the People's Republic of China with other Government Departments including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

What steps he is taking to ensure that his Department pays contracted defence companies on time.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring its suppliers of all sizes are paid what they are owed promptly. The department aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within five days. We are exceeding this target, in the last quarter of this financial year, over 95% of invoices have been paid within this timescale. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days. Information relating to the department's supplier payment performance can be found at the gov.uk website.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for his Department to process invoices for contracted work by SMEs in the defence sector.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring its suppliers of all sizes are paid what they are owed promptly. The department aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within five days. We are exceeding this target, in the last quarter of this financial year, over 95% of invoices have been paid within this timescale. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days. Information relating to the department's supplier payment performance can be found at the gov.uk website.

What steps he is taking to help improve the efficiency of procurement supply chains.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we will reform the Ministry of Defence procurement and acquisition processes to ensure we deliver the capabilities defence requires now and in the future, whilst reducing waste, supporting growth and ensuring compliance with our obligations under our international trade agreements. Coupled with this, the Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme is starting to deliver on the Government’s intent to create a bigger, better and more innovative and resilient Defence industrial sector supporting UK security and driving economic growth.

What proportion of his Department's expenditure was with SMEs in (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

The proportion of the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) procurement expenditure that goes to Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises is published annually as part of the MOD Regional Expenditure Statistics MOD regional expenditure with industry: index - GOV.UK For Financial Year (FY) 2022-23 5% (£1.4 billion) of the Department’s procurement spend went to SMEs. The figure for FY 2023-24 was 4% (£1.3 billion). Figures for FY 2024-25 are expected to be published in November 2025.

If he will make an estimate of the total financial remuneration for Non-Executive Directors in (a) his Department, (b) Defence Equipment & Support, (c) the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (d) all other connected agencies for financial year 2024-25.

The estimated financial remuneration for financial year 2024-25 for the Department’s public appointments (which includes a range of roles including non-executive board members, statutory officeholders and expert committee members, etc) is as follows: a) Departmental - £1,270,920 (95 roles)b) Defence Equipment & Support - £318,000 (7 roles)c) Atomic Weapons Establishment - £359,965 (8 roles)d) All other connected agencies - £1,305,257 (55 roles)

Whether his Department made a formal response to the Treasury's consultation on reforms to (a) inheritance tax and (b) the application of inheritance tax on Death in Service payments for armed forces personnel.

The Ministry of Defence has not made a formal response to HM Revenue and Customs’ technical consultation. The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with the Treasury on a range of matters, it is not practice to make a formal response to public consultations from other Government Departments. Armed Forces personnel whose death is attributable to active Service are exempt from inheritance tax.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) in-year savings measures and (b) stockpile depletion on the delivery of live fire training in the Army.

There have been no specific in-year financial constraints imposed on the consumption of ammunition and therefore no impact on the delivery of live fire training.As the hon. Member will understand from his time in the Ministry of Defence, for reasons of operational security, details of replenishment and stockpiles are highly classified, and I am withholding this information.

If he will improve the training estate to support Operation Interflex.

The Ministry of Defence works continuously to improve the Defence Training Estate on a capability and training needs basis. Work addressing areas of improvement highlighted by Operation Interflex, which stands to benefit the Defence Land Environment Training Function, is underway.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of extending the out-of-service date of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 January 2024 to Question 25025 to the hon. Member for North Devon (Ian Roome).

If he will hold discussions with the Prime Minister on sending British troops to Ukraine in peacekeeping roles.

The Defence Secretary has regular discussions with the Prime Minister about UK support to Ukraine. It would be inappropriate to comment further on speculation about the future. Our focus is on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position in 2025 and supporting Ukraine's defence against Putin’s full scale invasion. It would be inappropriate to speculate about the content of those discussions. However, the Prime Minister remains committed to putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position through 2025.

Whether he has made changes to Departmental expenditure on training for the (a) Royal Marines and (b) Army in the last 12 months.

In the last 12 months planned expenditure on Royal Marines training was reduced by 1.8% as part of wider Departmental action to manage pressure on in-year budgets, with limited impact on Royal Marines training outputs overall. Expenditure for the same period for Army training during this period, defined as direct training exercises including Phase 1 (basic training) and Phase 2 (initial training), has not changed.

Whether his Department has discussed the proposed payment to leaseback the military base on Diego Garcia with the Office for Value for Money.

We continue to work closely with HM Treasury on the agreement with Mauritius and will take this forward into the Spending Review. The Office for Value for Money has not been involved in these discussions to date.Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature.

What discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with US counterparts regarding the Chagos Islands since President Trump took office.

The Senate confirmation process is still ongoing for members of President Trump's Administration cabinet. The Government looks forward to working with US Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth following his confirmation by the Senate and the Administration in the months and years ahead once all relevant officials are in place.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 December to Question 18985 on Army, whether the Departmental priority to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027 includes the acceleration beyond current plans of any current armoured vehicle programmes as a metric of measuring whether that target has been achieved.

The ambition set by the Chief of the General Staff to double the fighting power of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030 exists within the Army as a principle to guide Army modernisation. It is not tied to specific programmes or procurements, but will incorporate the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review.

Whether it is his formal target to procure RCH 155 within the 5-year limit for hardware platforms.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 December 2024 to Question 16467 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois). I explained that whilst the Mobile Fires Platform aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade, a timeline or definition of MDC is yet to be determined, both of which will be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. Whilst the MDC is not yet defined, the target for delivery of the RCH 155 is in line with the Defence Command Paper and the Integrated Procurement Model’s five-year target.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December to Question 20237 on Ministry of Defence: Employers’ Contributions, when his Department plans to publish the details of the funding set aside to cover the increased cost of National Insurance contributions.

The Government will be supporting Departments with the cost of additional employer national insurance contributions. This is in line with the Government's usual approach to supporting the public sector, as was the case with the previous Government's Health and Social Care Levy. The allocation for the Ministry of Defence, along with all other Departments, will be set out in due course.