Written questions by Wood.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 119977 on Proof of Identity: Digital Technology, for what reason the minimum age to join the People’s Panel is 18 years of age.

The minimum age agreed with Ipsos for the People’s Panel is 18 due to the requirement and process to stay overnight to attend the sessions. The perspectives of 16 and 17 year olds remain important and will be captured through the broader consultation process including targeted engagement with these groups to ensure the voices of younger people are heard.

With reference to the Answer of 19 March 2026 to Question HL15173 on Prime Minister: TikTok, whether the Prime Minister has been given permission to install TikTok on his Government phone.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 19 March 2026, Official Report, PQ HL15173.

Whether the 10 Downing Street Events and Tours team holds data on the (a) cost of individual official receptions that take place in Downing Street and (b) the number of attendees or accepted invitations.

As under previous administrations, details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk

Whether the Cabinet Secretary has permission to speak to the press directly.

The Civil Service Code sets out the rules for Civil Servants speaking to the media. The Civil Service Management Code provides further guidance for civil servants on their obligations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question HL15477 on Lord Mandelson, whether Ministers are able to (a) provide a steer, (b) submit requests or (c) exercise a veto of Civil Service decisions to deem that material (i) is out of scope or (ii) should be redacted.

As set out in the Humble Address debate of 4th February, the process is being conducted and led by the Cabinet Secretary who has delegated the role to the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary. Civil servants are of course accountable to Ministers, who are in turn accountable to Parliament.

Pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2025, to Question 52906, on Department of Health and Social Care: Permanent Secretaries, what was the benchmark used to set the salary of the new DHSC Permanent Secretary.

The salary of the DHSC Permanent Secretary was approved in line with the senior pay control process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 119320 on Cabinet Office: Public Appointments, if he will make it his policy to publish the information on outside individuals in an anonymised or Barnardised format.

I refer to my answer to PQ 119320, in accordance with data protection regulations, we do not provide information about candidates in Civil Service recruitment processes, and there are no plans to publish in an anonymised or Barnardised format.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120845 on Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee: Public Appointments, for what reason the campaign has not been reopened for the three vacancies.

The Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee is quorate: there are more independent members than official members. Additional members can be appointed if wider skills or experience are required. Following the appointment of the new Chair, recruitment of additional members is now under consideration.

With reference to the Cabinet Secretary's objectives 2026-27, published on 7 April 2026, how the new Cabinet Secretary's objectives differ from those set for (a) Simon Case and (b) Chris Wormald.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2026, to Question 114869, on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, what is the timeline for the policy development in this instance.

I refer the Hon Gentleman to the answer to PQ 120319.

Pursuant to the answer of 2 April 2026, to Question 122728, on Cabinet Office: Email, whether John Pond's emails be transferred to the National Archives.

The Cabinet Office manages its departmental records in accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Act 1958. Section 3 of the Act sets out the provisions for selecting and preserving public records.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Ministers rip up consultation culture, published on 26 March 2026, if he will place in the Library the revised guidance issued to the Civil Service on consultation; and whether the Cabinet Office guidance on consultation principles will be amended.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

With reference to the Council of the European Union's press release entitled EU-UK relations: Council greenlights talks on electricity and cohesion deals, as well as UK’s participation in Erasmus+ for 2027, published on 30 March 2026, whether the UK will be required to contribute toward the EU's Cohesion Policy in relation to Erasmus+ and the energy and electricity provisions.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

If he will place in the Library a copy of the Cabinet Office Subject Access Request (SAR) Manual.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2026 to Question 111158 on Lord Mandelson, whether an independent KC is currently assisting the Cabinet Office in relation to the Government's response to the Humble Address, including the scope and redactions process; and with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office during the Opposition Day debate on Lord Mandelson on 2 February 2025, Official Report, column 372, what was the name of the KC previously paid by the Cabinet Office to assist on the review into Lord Mandelson.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026, to Question 110414, on Lord Mandelson, whether it is the intention of the Prime Minister that the review into Lord Mandelson will be re-commenced once the police investigation has concluded.

I refer the Hon Member to my previous answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122152 on Josh Simmons, in what circumstances does the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards obtain evidence from third parties when conducting a Ministerial conduct investigation.

The Independent Adviser provides advice to the Prime Minister in line with his terms of reference which are set out in the Ministerial Code.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question HL15477 on Lord Mandelson, whether Ministers are being consulted on whether their electronic communications are provided or are not provided or are redacted in Government responses to Humble Addresses.

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 24 March 2026 to Question 115555 on Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, whether the Cabinet Office review into Labour Together requested evidence from the journalists who had been included in the APCO Worldwide and Labour Together dossier.

I refer the Hon Member to the response given to PQ 116772.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Ministers rip up consultation culture, published on 26 March 2026, what plans he has to consult (a) permanent secretaries and (b) the First Division Association on the proposed changes to the Permanent Secretary terms of employment.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.