Written questions by Glen.

When he expects the National Exercising Programme’s next Tier 1 exercise test to take place.

The National Exercise Programme (NEP) provides direction and establishes cross-cutting activity to stress test capabilities, plans, protocols and procedures to strengthen our resilience in order to better prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from significant risks facing the UK.The NEP sets out a timetable of exercises (2024-2028), including at least one annual Tier 1 exercise with Ministerial involvement to be delivered each year.The Department of Health and Social Care will conduct a major Tier 1 exercise as the Lead Government Department, testing our response to a major pandemic. Planning for the exercise is underway and timelines are to be confirmed.

What meetings he has had with people who have donated to the Labour Party in the last 12 months since the general election.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. The most recent publication of transparency data took place on 29th August 2024.

When he plans to move the Contracts Finder webpage on gov.uk out of beta status.

The long term future of Contracts Finder is currently under review in anticipation of the launch of the Central Digital Platform, to support the Procurement Act 2023.

Whether his Department has issued guidance to Ministers on declaring (a) trade union membership, (b) general election donations and (c) constituency association donations in the List of Ministers' Interests.

There is an established process in place for the declaration and management of ministers’ private interests.

What the terms of reference for the appointment of the proposed Covid corruption commissioner are.

Detail on the proposed Fraud Commissioner is available via www.gov.uk/public-appointments.

What the Government's policy is on appointing (a) sitting hon. Members and (b) Peers as non-executive board members of Departments.

Appointments of non-executive directors to departmental boards are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and are made in compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. Board members are also bound by the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. There is no automatic bar in the Governance Code or Code of Conduct to a Member or Peer taking up a public appointment, though I note that the Modernisation Committee will be looking at the issue of MPs and second jobs. However, as with all appointments, full consideration would need to be given to any potential conflicts of interest and whether they call into question the individual’s ability to perform the role.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on the use of (a) the G-GBNI A321 and (b) non-scheduled flights for official business.

The Foreign Secretary follows the Ministerial Code in relation to use of GBNI and non-scheduled flights for official business. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-code/ministerial-code#travel-by-ministers

With reference to the final report of the Infected Blood inquiry (HC 569-I), published on 20 May 2024, what progress his Department has made on identifying potential locations for the permanent memorial to the infected blood victims since May 2024; and what his planned timetable is for consulting those (a) infected and (b) affected by the scandal.

It is very important that we recognise what happened to people as a result of the Infected Blood Scandal and that we continue to remember these events for future generations. The Government is carefully considering Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations and we will provide an update to Parliament on the progress we are making to respond to the Inquiry’s recommendations, including this recommendation on memorialisation, by the end of the year.

Whether the Prime Minister's chief of staff has a probationary period.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to paragraph 6 of the Model Contract for Special Advisers (Probation) and which can be found at: Model_Contract_for_Special_Advisers_December_2023.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

With reference to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 20 May 2024, what steps he is taking to change the culture of the civil service.

The findings of the Inquiry’s report are deeply concerning. We are working closely with DHSC and other interested departments to give each recommendation full consideration. This Government will bring forward legislation to place a duty of candour on public servants and authorities. This will be an important step towards addressing a culture of defensiveness. I will update Parliament on the progress on all recommendations by the end of the year.

What flags other than the Union flag he plans to fly on 70 Whitehall in the next 12 months.

70 Whitehall is a UK government building. The Cabinet Office will therefore follow the flag-flying guidance for all UK government buildings. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying.

With reference to the Cabinet Office press release entitled More public institutions can apply for a portrait of The King, published on 12 May 2024, what the take-up rate of the free official portrait of the King is amongst (a) Church of England churches, (b) job centres, (c) NHS hospitals and (d) universities.

As is usual practice following accession, an Official Portrait has been taken of His Majesty The King to mark the start of the new Reign, for use in public buildings and for other official purposes. His Majesty’s Government is using this portrait for the Official Portrait Scheme, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister at the time in April last year. His Majesty The King’s Portrait Scheme is an ongoing government scheme. We intend to disclose the information requested into the public domain when the scheme is complete and we have the full picture on the volumes requested and delivered and the associated costs, rather than providing provisional data at this stage. The scheme was open to new applications until 15th August and validation, portrait production and portrait delivery will complete in mid October.

What the Government's policy is on the publication of its legal advice.

The Law Officers’ Convention, reflected in paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code, is a long-standing convention observed by successive governments. It exists to preserve the ability of the Government and ministers to seek the advice of the Law Officers and not to be disadvantaged by disclosing when they have done so, and what advice they received.As you may know, on some occasions the Government has published summaries of its legal position on specific matters, for example, on military activity in the Red Sea (see here: Summary of the UK Government Legal Position: The legality of UK military action to target Houthi facilities in Yemen on 12 January 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

What the Government's policy is on the use of citizens assemblies.

The government recognises the potential value of citizens' assemblies and other participatory methods as part of a broader toolkit for policy development and public engagement. However, while citizens' assemblies can be a useful complement to our representative democracy, they are not intended to replace it. The Cabinet Office's Open Policy Making Toolkit, published under the previous Administration, includes guidance on participatory methods, and we continue to assess their effectiveness and impact in various contexts.

When the register of Ministers’ Interests will be published.

There has been no change in the established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers, which ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. This process is well underway. The next List of Ministers’ Interests will be published in due course.

What the Government's policy is on the role of the law officers on (a) freedom of information requests, (b) appeals and (c) tribunals on decisions undertaken by the previous Government.

The Law Officers’ role in respect of assessing exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) for papers of a previous administration is set out at paragraph 11.24 of the Cabinet Manual:“When a decision is required on the application of sections 36 or 53 of the FOI Act to papers of a previous administration, the Attorney General will act, as appropriate, as the accountable person for all government departments under section 53 and a Law Officer will act as the qualified person under section 36.”Once an assessment is made it is returned to the relevant department who then apply the public interest test (where applicable). Any appeals or tribunal proceedings would be for the relevant department.

What guidance is issued to Ministers on declaring political donations in the list of Ministers’ Interests.

There has been no change in the established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers, which ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. This process is well underway. The next List of Ministers’ Interests will be published in due course.

Whether the Prime Minister has declared The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013 as an interest to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Interests.

There has been no change in the established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers, which ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. This process is well underway. The next List of Ministers’ Interests will be published in due course.

What the Government's policy is on consumption of alcohol on the Downing Street estate.

There has been no change of policy from when the Rt Hon Member was Minister for the Cabinet Office, of which the Downing Street estate forms part.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Prime Minister will make it his policy to appoint a Minister with specific cross-Government responsibility for British citizens living overseas.

I am the Minister responsible for consular and crisis operations.