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 101–120 of 171 · Ministry of Defence
How many and what proportion of the original capability requirements specified for the Ajax-family vehicles have been relaxed or amended due to an inability of the vehicles to meet the original requirements.
It would not be appropriate to release a complete list of capability criteria, or any amendments to them, as doing so could prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.
How many of the Capability Drop 3 Ajax-family vehicles that have undergone acceptance testing by the Joint Acceptance Group required concessions against specifications or contractual requirements to be submitted by General Dynamics; and how many were approved.
All 185 Capability Drop 3 vehicles have modifications above the current production baseline and therefore every vehicle accepted through the joint acceptance group testing has concessions. In addition to these above baseline concessions, there are 28 different concessions which are due to either alternative parts or parts out of tolerance which do not impact user performance or operation or exceptionally a timebound impact on performance which is acceptable.
How his Department plans to replace the batch 1 River Class of ships.
All decisions on capabilities will be taken in the Defence Investment Plan.
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48851 on Reserve Forces: Finance, what assessment he has made of the level of available reserve service days; and what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of reserve service days, including for 3 Division.
The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements. The Army is currently conducting a review of Army Reserve tasks, including those for 3 (UK) Division, through the Field Army’s Force Commitments Exercise which will assess the funding required to support planned activities and to forecast the number of RSD needed for Financial Year 2026-27. In addition, the Royal Air Force has no current plans to alter the current commitment of RSD per person, whilst the Royal Navy is undertaking work to expand funded training, increase deployment opportunities, and improve short notice tasking for the Maritime Reserves.
With reference to parts 1 and 2 of the Service Justice System Review, published on 29 March 2018 and 29 March 2019, if he will amend the Armed Forces Bill to exclude rape and sexual assault with penetration from Court Martial jurisdiction except when the consent of the Attorney General is given.
There are no plans to amend the Armed Forces Bill in the way proposed. There have been significant improvements to investigations, prosecutions and victim support in the Service Justice System since the Lyons Review and the House of Commons’ Defence Committee’s previous recommendation. The Defence Serious Crime Command is implementing national standards set by the College of Policing through the Professionalising Investigations Programme and the National Operating Model under Operation Soteria, in line with National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing guidance. This ensures that investigations into rape and serious sexual offences are victim-centred, suspect-focused, and consistent with nationally recognised policing standards. The Victim Witness Care Unit provides independent, trauma-informed and end-to-end support. Reports by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate independently verify the progress made.Sir Brian Leveson’s July 2025 Independent Review of the Criminal Courts stated that “criminal justice is in crisis” with cases being listed as far ahead as 2029, while the Court Martial has no backlogs and cases progress without delay. In the civilian system 19% of victims withdraw from adult-rape-flagged proceedings in the Crown Court; in the Court Martial none withdrew in 2024.Whilst conviction rates cannot be reliably compared, published data does not support claims that the conviction rate is higher in the Crown Court. The conviction rate for adult-rape-flagged cases in the Court Martial, excluding guilty pleas, is 51% from 2022 to 2024 compared to 36% in the Crown Court.
When his Department will confirm the appointment of the Armed Forces Commissioner.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2026 to Question 103963 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty).
Whether RAF Benson will remain the home of the UK's Support Helicopter Force.
There are no current plans for a relocation of the UK’s Support Helicopter Force or the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit.
Whether his Department plans to undertake a refresh of the 2012 Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study.
Rotary Wing capability is vital to our Armed Forces' ability to manoeuvre and confront adversaries. We have kept our approach to Rotary Wing capability planning up to date through iterative updates to the Rotary Wing Strategy, last published in 2021, including considerations of usage of future and emerging technologies in Rotor Craft up to 2040 and beyond. Rotary Wing force design is a key consideration as part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, the outcome of which will define the future capability plan.
If his Department will fund the cost of slabs for Liberty Steel Dalzell from British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant for production of FSS ships.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) funding for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme is provided to industry through the MOD's fixed price contract with Navantia UK (NUK). As the prime contractor, it is NUK's responsibility to deliver the FSS ships under the terms of the contract, which includes the purchase of materials and managing their supply chains accordingly.The sourcing of steel for the FSS programme is therefore a matter for NUK, whose goal is to maximise UK steel content wherever it is technically and commercially feasible, while protecting the delivery schedule.
Where the planned new munitions factories will be located.
Following the Secretary of State’s announcement in November 2025 that a number of sites are under consideration, work is ongoing with respect to specific site proposals. More detail will be available once the necessary preparatory work has been completed and further public announcements will be made in due course.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the ongoing industrial dispute with Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors on day-to-day operations of the Fleet Auxiliary and Navy.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) remains an integral part of the Royal Navy and its collective ability to deliver operational effect in conjunction with our allies around the world. The RFA continue to meet their operational commitments, and we are dedicated to resolving the current industrial dispute through continuing dialogue with their trade unions.
Whether the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit will remain at RAF Benson.
There are no current plans for a relocation of the UK’s Support Helicopter Force or the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit.
How many aircraft does the Empire Test Pilots’ School currently (a) own or (b) lease.
QinetiQ, which operates the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) under contract with the Ministry of Defence, owns a fleet of 18 aircraft used in the delivery of the programme. The types and volume of leases change annually given the trading system in place for access to assets with other NATO Military Schools and Training and Evaluation units, coupled with access where possible to UK Military assets. For ETPS 2025, 21 additional assets were used under such leases.
Whether he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart on the export of Eurofighters for the RCAF.
The Secretary of State for Defence regularly engages with international counterparts to discuss a range of defence and security matters, including the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons. While the UK Government is committed to expanding the number of Typhoon users it would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of ongoing commercial discussions or potential procurement decisions by other nations.
How many major procurement programmes are on hold pending the Defence Investment Plan.
There are currently no major programmes on hold pending the Defence Investment Plan. (DIP). The Department is working flat out to deliver the DIP, which will be published as soon as possible. The DIP is the first time in 18 years Defence has completed a single, comprehensive review of programmes and is backed by the Government’s largest sustained increase in defence investment since the end of the Cold War, spending £270 billion on defence in this Parliament alone.
Whether he plans to replace HMS Middleton when it returns from the Middle East to maintain the permanent naval fighting presence in the region.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 January 2026 to Question 106665 to the Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty).
Whether he plans to pursue further deals to export UK assembled Eurofighters.
The UK Government is committed to supporting the export of British defence equipment, including UK-assembled Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.As seen with the recent Typhoon export to Türkiye - worth c.£8 billion and supporting 20,000 UK jobs - these deals play a vital role in supporting the UK defence industry, sustaining high-skilled jobs, and contributing to the economy. The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with international partners and allies to promote the Eurofighter Typhoon as a world-class multi-role combat aircraft.
How much revenue has been received from foreign military sales of Eurofighter Typhoons.
The UK Ministry of Defence has supported UK industry with successful export campaigns of Eurofighter Typhoon to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2006 - c.£6 billion), Oman (2012 - c.£2.5 billion), Qatar (2017 - c.£6 billion) and Türkiye (2025 - up to £8 billion).
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2026 to Question 103848 on Defence Equipment, of the £10.4 billion industry spend in the UK how much was received by (a) subsidiaries of foreign suppliers and (b) British owned suppliers.
The £10.4 billion figure quoted for expenditure with UK industry is drawn from the Ministry of Defence’s Regional Expenditure statistics, which categorise spend by location of work rather than by company ownership. The underlying data does not capture information on the ownership structure of suppliers, therefore, the Department is unable to provide a breakdown of the spend as the “Location of Work” codes identify where contracted activity is carried out within the UK.
What estimate he has made of the revenue to be raised by foreign military sales of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey.
The UK Government is committed to supporting the export of defence equipment, including the Eurofighter Typhoon. The sale of Typhoon jets to Türkiye is worth up to £8 billion, supporting 20,000 highly skilled UK jobs. This deal represents the leading edge of our future relationship with Türkiye, making both our nations, Europe and NATO stronger, safer and more prosperous.