Written questions by Hollinrake.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, whether lobbyists who provide the secretariat for APPGs can accept funding from overseas sources, and what is the interaction with the registration requirements under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

The House of Commons Commission does not have responsibility for the APPG Rules. However, page 11 of the Guide to the APPG Rules sets out the following rule relating to secretariats and foreign governments:Rules relating to foreign governmentsA Group must not accept the provision of a secretariat by a foreign government, nor may they accept the services of a secretariat funded by a foreign government. A Group’s officers must undertake due diligence as to whether a foreign government is the eventual funder of a secretariat or other benefit.

In what circumstances does HMRC suspend a penalty for carelessly paying second homes stamp duty.

Awaiting answer.

Whether HMRC has issued guidance on whether a donation by an individual taxpayer of a (a) non-cash donation or (b) cryptocurrency to a political party or regulated donee creates a capital gains tax liability for the donor.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of notifying pensioners of small upratings to the State Pension; and whether he has considered reducing the cost through alternative methods of communicating such changes.

Awaiting answer.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether there are any types of donations that are declared by hon. Members to the House of Commons Registrar which are not re-published by the Electoral Commission on their website.

The Electoral Commission can only publish donations to MPs which are offered in connection with their political activities either as an MP or as a party member, and are over the relevant reporting threshold of £2,230 (including aggregations of donations from the same donor). The Register of Members’ Financial Interests is broader and contains information about any financial interest an MP has, or any benefit they receive, which someone else might reasonably consider to influence what they say or do as an MP.

Whether (a) special advisers and (b) civil servants are required to record engagement with Labour Together where such engagement is not covered by quarterly reporting transparency requirements.

Awaiting answer.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance and advice the Electoral Commission has given on whether regulated donees who are political party members but do not hold elected office are required to report political gifts and donations to the Electoral Commission.

Donations to party members are regulated when made in connection with their political activities within the party. For example, these include campaigning in party leadership elections or candidate selection contests or developing or promoting policies with a view to their adoption by the party. Donations over £500 must be from permissible sources and donations over £2,230 must be reported to the Electoral Commission.The Electoral Commission has published guidance on donations for party members.

Whether his Department plans to require pension schemes to provide clearer advance notification to members when established policies on discretionary increases are (a) changed and (b) withdrawn.

Awaiting answer.

What recent estimate he has made of the number of defined benefit pension schemes in surplus where discretionary increases have been proposed by trustees but not implemented due to employer refusal.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 113783 on Cabinet Office: Reviews, whether any staff involved with the Humble Address also undertook due diligence on Lord Mandelson.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to review the legislative framework governing employer consent requirements in relation to discretionary increases in defined benefit pension schemes.

Awaiting answer.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission,with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2026 to Question 129179 on Members: Finance, what discussions the Electoral Commission has had with the House of Commons on whether an hon. Member (a) accepting an impermissible donation, or (b) not returning a knowingly impermissible donation would be a breach of the House of Commons Code of Conduct within the remit of the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, or solely a matter for the Electoral Commission.

Members must report impermissible or returned donations directly to the Electoral Commission.There is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards which sets out the agreed administrative arrangements between the two bodies. Where the Electoral Commission has reasonable grounds to suspect that an impermissible donation or regulated transaction has been accepted or entered into, and is investigating the matter, it may as part of this work approach the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

What role the Pensions Regulator plays in overseeing decisions where discretionary increases are declined despite scheme affordability; and whether that role will be expanded.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 113783 on Cabinet Office: Reviews, whether the Propriety and Ethics team provided a substantive report on allegations made about the conduct of the former Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

On 15 February 2026, the Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office to establish the facts in this case. Following the conclusion of that process, the Prime Minister referred the matter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. The Independent Adviser then provided advice to the Prime Minister on 27 February, which has been published.

Whether any (a) civil servant and (b) Minister (i) has occupied and (ii) is occupying any of the official Ministerial residences in Admiralty House since September 2025.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the point of order by the Right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington of 23 February 2026, Official Report, Column 60, on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, what communications the Chief Whip conducted with the hon. Member for Makerfield on the pending Cabinet Office investigation.

On 15 February 2026, the Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office to establish the facts in this case. Following the conclusion of that process, the Prime Minister referred the matter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. The Independent Adviser then provided advice to the Prime Minister on 27 February, which has been published.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of safeguards for members of defined benefit pension schemes where trustees recommend discretionary increases and those increases are actuarially affordable but sponsoring employers withhold consent.

Awaiting answer.

What information his Department holds on whether the former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister backed up official Government information on his personal phones through the Apple iCloud service.

The Department does not hold information about individuals’ use of personal devices.

If he will place in the Library a copy of the information and documentation provided by the hon. Member for Makerfield to (a) the Cabinet Office PET team and (b) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Statements to assist their two inquiries into Labour Together.

On 15 February 2026, the Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office to establish the facts in this case. Following the conclusion of that process, the Prime Minister referred the matter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. The Independent Adviser then provided advice to the Prime Minister on 27 February, which has been published.

Whether HMRC has provided (a) advice and (b) guidance on whether the payment of non-monetary donations crystallises capital gains tax liability for donors.

Capital gains tax is charged for a tax year on chargeable gains accruing in the year to a person on the disposal of assets. Donating an asset is classed as being a disposal of it and a gain may accrue at that time. Whether a capital gains tax liability arises depends on various factors, such as whether the donation is made to a spouse or civil partner, or to a charity; and whether losses in the tax year can be set against any chargeable gains. Further information can be found at: www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/gifts and within HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual at: www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/capital-gains-manual starting at page CG66450.