Written questions by Dewhirst.

Pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2025, to Question 23032, on Home Office: Flags, which unit of her Department decided which flags would be flown from the Department’s buildings in 2025.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) manages the protocol around flying the Union Flag from Government buildings, publishing the designated days list to that effect each year.Home Office's other flag-flying is managed by Home Office Facilities Management (FM) providers at 5 sites, and by the Government Property Agency at 2 sites, and is signed off by the Deputy Director for Workplace Services and Projects (and shared with the Director for Property and Security, the DG for Chief Operating Officer Group and the Permanent Secretary’s office.Any additional flags besides the flags of England, Scotland and Wales (flown on national days) would only be flown with sign off from the Permanent Secretary.

How much her Department has spent on podiums used for Ministerial press conferences since 4 July 2024.

Government lecterns and podiums are regularly used at press conferences and speeches. This is managed on a case by case basis, depending on the location. Associated costs may be included within wider event production costs and therefore is not readily available to report on.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 112206, on Palantir: Contracts, whether communications were sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.

As the Secretary of State for Defence has previously set out, Lord Mandelson had no influence or involvement in the Defence Enterprise Agreement with Palantir. Based on the information held by the Ministry of Defence, the Department is not aware of any communications sent by Lord Mandelson in relation to the contract with Palantir.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111851 on Law Officers: Equality, whether her Department's document entitled Attorney General's Guidance on Legal Risk, published on 6 November 2024, will be updated to reflect the proposed socio-economic duty when enacted.

The public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities is not yet in force in England. Once in force, the duty will require public authorities (including the Law Officers), when making decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise their functions, to have due regard to the desirability of exercising them in a way that is designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage.The Attorney General’s Guidance on legal risk is intended to assist lawyers and others advising on lawfulness and legal risk in government, by setting out a common framework to assess risk. At such time that the duty comes into force, the Law Officers will have due regard to it in deciding whether any updates to this guidance are required.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether nominated three referees were nominated as part of the vetting process for Lord Mandelson.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 117764, on Opposition: Domestic Visits, whether the (a) MOD or (b) Armed Forces have guidance on this issue in relation to visits to military sites.

The Ministry of Defence is eager to facilitate more engagement with Parliamentarians, and we are proactively doing so given the importance of Defence within the national conversation. Defence Ministers are committed to ensuring the Department is being more transparent and engaged with MPs from all parties, supporting visits to sites across the UK to meet our brave Service men and women. Parliamentarians can seek approval to visit an establishment, including requests for media or photography in advance, and these are approved on a case-by-case basis noting security protocols and sensitivities. The most effective route remains to contact the Parliamentary Engagement Lead for the relevant Service in the first instance. Constituency MPs or MPs for immediately neighbouring constituencies may arrange visits directly with local establishments.

Pursuant of 17 March 2026, to Question 118785, on Palantir, for what reason no formal record of the meeting was produced.

The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff.Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU on Scotland's fishing sector.

The UK Government remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining world-leading food safety and animal health standards. All food and drink products imported into the UK must comply with our regulatory standards. But we want to limit red tape for our exporters as much as possible. As my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor advised the House on 24 March, we aim to conclude negotiations with the EU this year on the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement. This will positively impact food prices in our shops and make it easier to trade with our biggest market. This is good news for Scottish exporters in seafood and many other sectors.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the consultation on F gas Regulation in Great Britain: Reform of the HFC phasedown.

Defra and DESNZ worked together closely on the proposal set out in the HFC phasedown consultation and continue to do so. This is why the proposal reflects plans for the rollout of heat pumps. Responses to the consultation are still being considered. The consultation asked respondents questions about the assumptions underpinning the proposal and potential impacts of the proposal which could include availability of refrigerants.

Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration her Department has given to the availability of refrigerant as part of the review of responses to the F gas Regulation in Great Britain: Reform of the HFC phasedown consultation.

Defra and DESNZ worked together closely on the proposal set out in the HFC phasedown consultation and continue to do so. This is why the proposal reflects plans for the rollout of heat pumps. Responses to the consultation are still being considered. The consultation asked respondents questions about the assumptions underpinning the proposal and potential impacts of the proposal which could include availability of refrigerants.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the inclusion in the UK Government Green Financing Framework, November 2025, paragraph 2.12, of the new exclusion of "Facilities intended for the production of weapons grade nuclear material or for other primarily military uses" on levels of divestment in the Defence nuclear industry, including Trident renewal contracts and sub-contracts.

The Green Financing Framework, updated in 2025, explains how proceeds from green gilts and NS&I’s retail Green Savings Bonds will finance public expenditures that deliver a direct and positive environmental impact. The Defence Nuclear Enterprise is critically important but does not primarily exist to support those objectives and so is not eligible to be financed under the Framework. This exclusion is in line with international norms for green bond frameworks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson returned his (a) laptop, (b) iPhone and (c) iPad after he left the (i) Head of Mission role and (ii) civil service.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March to question 120357.

Whether people mentioned in the Government return to the Humble Address were consulted on any (a) exclusions and (b) redactions in the material that was released prior to publication.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23 February and the Government’s statement on 11 March which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with urgency and transparency ensuring proper process is rigorously followed.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 110810 on Cabinet Office: Email, when John Pond's archived emails will be publicly disclosed by National Archives.

The Cabinet Office holds within its records 118 emails which include the ‘John Pond’ email address. Cabinet Office records are transferred to The National Archives in the usual way, in accordance with Section 3 (4) of The Public Records Act, 1958.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, page 107, what confidential undertakings were agreed.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was paid for unused annual leave when he left the Civil Service, in addition to the exit payment.

No.

Whether (a) his department and (b) ACAS have issued on whether an employee can be summarily dismissed for gross misconduct if they lie or deceive when applying for the job.

There is government guidance on GOV.UK on summary dismissal for reasons relating to gross misconduct. Acas has issued both a statutory Code of Practice and non-statutory guidance covering gross misconduct. These do not specifically mention dismissal for lying or deception during the recruitment process. Misconduct involving dishonesty may meet the threshold for gross misconduct if it fundamentally undermines trust and confidence.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 110810 on Cabinet Office: Email, how many John Pond emails have been archived.

The Cabinet Office holds within its records 118 emails which include the ‘John Pond’ email address. Cabinet Office records are transferred to The National Archives in the usual way, in accordance with Section 3 (4) of The Public Records Act, 1958.

Pursuant to his statement of 11 March 2026, Official Report, Column 364, on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion, whether he has consulted lawyers in the Metropolitan Police.

As per the statement from the Metropolitan Police on 4th February 2026, they are asking us to refrain from publishing any relevant documents that could prejudice their investigation. We do not comment on ongoing police investigations. The Government stands ready to support the police in whatever way it can.

Further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, if he will publish internal guidance given to Ministers, special advisers and civil servants requesting their information for the Humble Address.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.