Every parliamentary written question tabled by James MacCleary this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 171 · Ministry of Defence
When he plans to publish the Defence Investment Plan.
We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as we can. We must take sufficient time to ensure that decisions in the DIP are robust and drive the necessary transformation of our Armed Forces described in the Strategic Defence Review.
How many staff hours were spent working on complaints made to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces in i) 2023, ii) 2024 and iii) 2025.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
What proportion of complaints made under JSP 831 were responded to within 24 weeks in each of the last five years.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of using defence bonds as a way to finance capital-intensive commitments in the Strategic Defence Review.
This Government has announced a significant uplift in defence spending over the Spending Review period. This uplift is underpinned by our non-negotiable fiscal rules; reducing borrowing whilst investing in defence to keep the UK and allies safe. There are no plans to relax these fiscal rules, increase taxation or introduce defence bonds to support further defence spending.
What recent steps he has taken on (1) Project Beehive, (2) the Marine Mine Counter Measures programme, (3) SeaCat and (4) the repairs to HMS Bangor.
Awaiting answer.
When does he plan to issue an update to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25th of March 2026, (a) how many Russian shadow fleet ships have transited British waters, (b) how many have been boarded and (c) how many have been detained.
Awaiting answer.
What the nature of complaints received by the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner was in each of the last five years.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25th of March 2026, which Royal Naval ships have been deployed to carry out this task.
The Royal Navy routinely deploys a range of maritime assets to monitor, track and, where appropriate, take action against vessels of concern in and around UK waters. For reasons of operational security, it is the Department’s longstanding policy not to comment on the specific Royal Navy ships deployed to undertake such tasks.
How many of the complaints received by the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner were submitted by LGBTQ+ personnel under JSP 831 in i) 2026, ii) 2025 and iii) 2024.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
What the nature is of complaints made to the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner that have taken more than 24 weeks to respond to in each of the last five years.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
How many complaints the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner received in each of the last five years.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
What proportion of complaints received by the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner were responded to within 24 weeks in each of the last five years.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
How much was spent on working on complaints made to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces in i) 2023, ii) 2024 and iii) 2025.
Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.
What steps his Department is taking to improve mine hunting capabilities.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What progress his Department has made on resolving disputes over pay and work conditions in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
We continue to engage constructively with trade unions. It would not be appropriate to offer more detail of these engagements as discussions are ongoing.
By which year does he forecast the Royal Navy surface fleet will return to its minimum target strength of 19 frigates and destroyers.
Awaiting answer.
When he plans to issue an update to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What progress his Department has made on the Type 83 design process; and whether it will be completed by 2038.
I refer the hon. Member to my response to question 106653 on 27 January 2026.
What progress he has made on (a) Project Beehive, (b) MMCM program (Marine Mine Counter Measures), (c) SeaCat and (d) the repairs to HMS Bangor.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.