Written questions by MacCleary.

How many university places there are for doctorates in Clinical Psychology.

Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for their own admissions decisions, including provision for doctoral places.NHS England commissions taught doctorate programmes for Clinical Psychologists. NHS funded trainees receive placement funding at the national tariff rate and are funded at 100 per cent of salary cost at AFC band 6. NHS funded trainees also receive tuition support from NHS England, as well as contribution to travel and accommodation costs necessary to support trainees.The Higher Education Statistics Agency does not collect information on places available on courses but publishes data on student entrants across UK higher education (HE) providers. This includes data on students entering courses in different subjects, categorised using the HE Classification of Subjects system. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 913 entrants to doctorates in clinical psychology in UK HE providers.

How many clinical psychology training places were commissioned in each of the last five years, and how this compares to the number of applicants.

The following table provides the number of training places across the 28 training providers of Doctorates in Clinical Psychology in England over the past five years:Year20212022202320242025Places9011,0651,0661,0641,073Source: Clearing House, available at the following link: https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/In addition, the following table shows the data on places and unique applicants, as applicants can apply to more than one course, that are available in total across all English, Scottish, and Welsh courses:Year20212022202320242025Places9791,1551,1661,1641,179Unique Applicants4,5444,6554,9905,6035,910Applicants per Place4.64.04.34.85.0Source: Clearing House, available at the following link: https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/

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).

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.

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.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on access to fixed charges for retirees living in housing-with-care.

The government recognise that some specialist retirement housing providers have distinct operational and financing arrangements, and we value the important contribution that this sector makes to supporting older people. We want to ensure providers can continue to operate effectively and with confidence. As per the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), we will consider through the scrutiny and consultation process whether particular arrangements may be appropriate for certain forms of specialist provision.

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.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on private investment in the supply of housing-with-care for older people.

The government recognise that some specialist retirement housing providers have distinct operational and financing arrangements, and we value the important contribution that this sector makes to supporting older people. We want to ensure providers can continue to operate effectively and with confidence. As per the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), we will consider through the scrutiny and consultation process whether particular arrangements may be appropriate for certain forms of specialist provision.

If his Department will take control of the Liberty Steel Dalzell plant to purchase slab from British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant and begin production on new FSS ships.

Liberty Steel Dalzell is a privately-owned company. The Government has no plans to take control or purchase it. Liberty Dalzell is contracted to supply steel plate to Navantia UK for the MOD’s Fleet Solid Support ships programme. This is an independent commercial arrangement between the two companies.

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.

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 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 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.

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.