Written questions by MacCleary.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent information she has on the condition of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 9 March in response to Question HL15304.

What the content was of the consignments with UK arms export codes ML10 and ML5 seized by Belgian authorities in Liege on 24 March 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she will examine the potential merits of extending tax relief for orchestras to include choirs.

The Government recognises the importance of the creative industries, including orchestras, and supports them through funding and through the tax system. Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) provides tax relief on production costs and provided around £50 million of support in 2023-24. There is currently no other country in the world which offers such a tax relief for orchestras. In considering any changes to existing tax reliefs or introducing new ones, Government has to consider a wide range of factors, including the specific aims of the relief, the costs and complexity of designing and administering new provisions, and fairness. Decisions on tax are taken by the Chancellor at fiscal events, in the context of overall public finances.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

When does he plan to issue an update to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Awaiting answer.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what steps she is taking to support the campaign to rewild 30% of Church owned land.

Awaiting answer.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

How many operational vessels are available to the Royal Navy with hospital or casualty receiving facilities.

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.

Under what legislation do British forces operate in UK waters.

UK forces operate in accordance with both international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and domestic law.

Whether his Department has considered New Zealand's retirement villages sector in developing policy on the future of the social care system in England.

We recognise the important role retirement villages play in providing high quality, safe, and suitable homes which can help people stay independent and healthy for longer and reduce the need to draw on health and social care provision. The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the development of suitable older people’s housing. We are aware of relevant international evidence in this area, including examples cited in the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report such as older people’s housing models in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.