Mr Mark Francois

I thank Mr Speaker and you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for granting this important urgent question, and I thank the Minister for his reply. However, I would like to press him on three matters in return. First, the withdrawal of key American air assets from RAF Mildenhall follows a similar decision to withdraw B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the face of an alleged Iranian threat, an incident at RAF Molesworth and an assault on RAF Brize Norton by Palestine Action in June 2025. What discussions have Defence Ministers had with their American counterparts to reassure them that our airbases are still safe for their aircraft and, indeed, our own? Secondly, what can the Minister tell us about the arrest of a US serviceman for alleged espionage at Imjin barracks, the headquarters of NATO’s British-led Allied Rapid Reaction Corps? The incident was described by FBI director Kash Patel as “of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies.” Well, it concerns this House too. Thirdly, the Defence Secretary recently said, starkly, that we should prepare for war within a thousand days. He has even got us stockpiling baked beans. But when we ask about the whereabouts of the defence readiness Bill, which will be crucial in preparing for such a conflict, likely with Russia, we are simply told that it is not ready and that it will not be until the end of this Parliament, by which time the war could already have begun. This totally contradictory policy comes at the expense of our national security. To recap, what have we told our American allies about our ability to protect our airbases and their air assets? What more information—there must be some—can the Minister share with the House about the arrest at Imjin barracks and its implications for our security and, indeed, NATO’s security. Lastly, when, if ever, will the Government publish the now clearly urgent defence readiness Bill?