Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,361–1,380 of 2,899 · this parliament
Whether the creation of a peerage can be stopped following the (a) announcement of the King signifying his intention to confer a peerage and (b) issuing of a Letters Patent under the Great Seal.
There is no established precedent for withdrawing a peerage nomination after it has been announced.
If he will publish Tim Allan's declaration of interests.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 5 February 2026, Official Report, PQ 110814.
When Ministerial private office records are transferred to National Archives; and whether some files are retained by the Department.
The Cabinet Office Records Selection Policy under the Public Records Act 1958 is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-records-selection-policy/cabinet-office-records-selection-policy-html#:~:text=The%20Cabinet%20Office%20Records%20Selection,selection%20of%20historic%20public%20records.At the time of transfer to The National Archives, redactions can be made by the application of FOI exemptions that persist beyond 20 years or by provision of Section 3(4) of the Public Records Act. Any closures or retentions are made clear either within the open file or on The National Archives catalogue, which is available on line.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Explanatory Memorandum on a UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement or Trade And Cooperation Agreement Governance Document, COM(2025)804, published on 4 February 2026, for what reason the Government proposes to make payments to help reduce economic and social disparities in the EU.
The Explanatory Memorandum considers a proposal by the European Commission to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK on an electricity agreement and on “the financial contribution of the United Kingdom towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the Union”. It does not represent a proposal by the Government. In line with the outcome from exploratory talks on an electricity agreement, we are prepared to make an appropriate financial contribution to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union’s work in this policy area, for example to access EU agencies or databases. The details of any contribution are subject to negotiation.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, what the cost was of the re-branding of HM Government as UK Government.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Courts and Legal Services of 10 February 2026, Official Report, Column 707, for what reason the data protection breach was sufficient to terminate the contract but did not meet the threshold for an Information Commissioner referral.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to protecting the personal and sensitive information entrusted to us. The agreement which Courtsdesk entered into with HMCTS specified that it would not pass data on to any party other than journalists without the permission of HMCTS. Courtsdesk acted outside the terms of that agreement by sharing data with a third party AI company. It did not seek HMCTS’ permission to use the data in that way. In those circumstances, it was entirely appropriate to suspend the arrangement between HMCTS and Courtsdesk.Data protection officials considered that the circumstances did not meet the threshold required for referral to the Information Commissioner’s Office. The Ministry of Justice is committed to open justice as well as the responsible use of data and protecting data privacy. Our approach in this matter vindicates those principles.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the declaration of interest form completed by Lord Mandelson when Ambassador to the United States.
I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Whether there was any communication between his Department and Global Counsel in relation to the visit by the Prime Minister to the Washington offices of Palantir.
In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information relevant to this and other questions regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.
Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106522, on Business: Codes of Practice, whether the correct process she outlined in the answer will require a Regulatory Impact Assessment to be produced under the Better Regulation Framework; and whether she has had discussions with the Regulatory Policy Committee on a potential Regulatory Impact Assessment.
The EHRC has submitted a draft Code of Practice to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves, engaging with the EHRC to ensure that it provides clarity for service providers.We have always been clear that the proper process needs to be followed, which includes understanding the potential impact on businesses, public functions and services, as well as engaging with relevant committees.The Code will have implications for service providers up and down the country so it is important that we get this right.
Who will be conducting the investigation into Lord Doyle, and what are the terms of reference.
The Government is not conducting an investigation into Lord Doyle. An investigation is being carried out by the Labour Party.
When the Prime Minister was made aware of the alleged involvement of Lord Doyle with Sean Morton; and whether this was raised during due diligence for the nomination of a political peerage.
As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals' peerage nominations.
Pursuant to the Answer 5 February 2026 to Question 108662 on WPP Media: Contracts, whether the RM6364 framework replaces both RM6125 (media services) and RM6123 (advertising); and whether there will be a further replacement for RM6123 in whole or in part in parallel with the new RM6364.
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has introduced the RM6364 Media and Creative Services agreement for the procurement of marketing, media, and communication services to replace both RM6125 and RM6123.There are no further replacement agreements planned for RM6123, in whole or in part, to run in parallel with RM6364.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the press release entitled Dr Christian Turner CMG appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America, of 18 December 2025, whether Dr Turner was a Direct Ministerial Appointment; and whether he was appointed by open and fair competition.
Dr Turner was appointed following an open, fair and competitive recruitment process.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the compliance of (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers with the guidance entitled Non-corporate communication channels for government business, published on 30 March 2023.
The current guidance was issued under the previous government. As part of this government’s commitment to raise information security standards, we plan to review both the way that non-corporate communication channels are used in Government and the 2023 guidance itself to reflect the changes in the ways we use technology.
With reference to the Answers of the Lord Privy Seal of 10 February 2026, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 189, if he will publish a response to the questions raised by Baroness Laing of Elderslie on the Gordon Brown letter.
There are no plans to publish this letter. I refer the Hon Member to the response of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on this topic during the 2 February debate ‘US Department of Justice Release of Files’ (Vol 780, Col 49).
Whether the Cabinet Secretary plans to review Lord Mandelson’s interactions whilst Ambassador with (a) Global Counsel and (b) its clients.
The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.
Whether his Department has changed the name, remit or structure of its facility time reporting division.
The team whose responsibilities previously included amongst other duties, collecting, collating and publishing public sector facility time data sits within a wider Civil Service Reward and Employment division. This division has existed for a number of years. The removal of the requirement for public sector organisations to report their facility time data to Cabinet Office has resulted in these specific responsibilities no longer forming part of this team’s remit.
Pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2026, to Question 107278, on Department for Transport: Official Hospitality, whether the Cabinet Office has issued any guidance on Arm's Length Bodies using public funds to hold receptions to (a) lobby or (b) influence parliamentarians.
The Cabinet Office issued guidance on 25/04/2024 to all Arm's Length Bodies, which outlines the rules to ensure political impartiality and the proper use of public money. This guidance can be found on gov.uk.
Whether the Prime Minister, as the King's principal adviser, (a) was consulted on and (b) approved the decision to change the HM Government identity to the UK Government; and whether the Prime Minister was advised by Tim Allan in this regard when Mr Allan was Executive Director of Communications.
There are no plans to discontinue the use of “HM Government”."UK Government" has long been the term used for the government in public-facing communications. Communications teams are advised to use "UK Government" rather than departmental names and logos for announcements, to provide clarity to the public. This does not affect the use of "His Majesty's Government", which continues on relevant official communications and records.This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025.Please refer to https://www.communications.gov.uk/guidance/marketing/branding-guidelines/ for guidance on logo use. There are no plans to publish the revised guidance held by the Government Digital Service and the Government Communication Service.
Further to his oral statement of 9 February 2026, on Updates on Standards in Public Life, and with reference to the Non-corporate communication channels for government business, of March 2023, in what specific respects is the 2023 Cabinet Office guidance not clear.
The current guidance was issued under the previous government. As part of this government’s commitment to raise information security standards, we plan to review the way that non-corporate communication channels are used in Government and to update the accompanying guidance to reflect the changes in the ways we use technology.