Written questions by Dewhirst.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the Diplomatic Service’s policies are regarding intimate relationships between colleagues; whether (a) junior and (b) senior civil servants are permitted to enter into sexual relationships with co-workers; what requirements exist to declare such relationships where there is a reporting line or managerial responsibility; and what guidance is issued under the diplomatic service code regarding potential conflicts of interest arising from workplace relationships.

All Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff are subject to the Civil Service Code. It is for their managers to determine whether an individual's conduct meets, or falls short of, the standards of behaviour and integrity set out in the Code, and to put appropriate arrangements in place when a personal relationship could create a real or perceived conflict of interest.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Budget Information Security Review, published on 9 February 2026, whether her Department has identified the (a) individual and (b) entity that accessed the Electronic Financial Statement in March 2025.

As noted in Paragraph 3.6 of the Budget Information Security Review, the National Cyber Security Centre explained why it is not possible to identify to whom the IP addresses used to obtain early access in March or November 2025 belong.

With reference to the Budget Information Security Review, February 2026, paragraph 5.20, whether the Macpherson Principles will apply to the briefing of non-market sensitive Budget information.

As explained in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.5 of the Budget Information Security Review, the Macpherson Principles apply to: the economic and fiscal projections, the fiscal judgement and individual tax rates, reliefs and allowances.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2025, to Question 85191, on Parliament: Public Expenditure, how much of the (a) resource and (b) capital expenditure in each year was notionally allocated to support Restoration and Renewal.

It would be for Parliament to confirm these allocations.

What formal safeguards are in place to ensure that publication of the Electronic Financial Statement via HM Treasury does not compromise the operational independence of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

HM Treasury published the March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Forecast on behalf of the Office for Budget Responsibility and at its request.Paragraph 3.12 of the Budget Information Security Review notes: “The publication of the OBR’s EFO on GOV.UK by HMT should not diminish the OBR’s independence and will not give HMT access to any information ahead of time of which it is not already aware.”

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers have received any coaching in foreign languages funded by the department since July 2024.

Since July 2024 one minister has received coaching in a foreign language funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026, to Question 105533, on Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, and to Question 105534, on Public Sector: Pay whether departments are required to report details of civil service leavers, and exit payments, to HM Treasury.

Departments are not required to report details of Civil Service leavers and exit payments under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme to HM Treasury. Departments publish information on exit payments and staffing numbers within their Annual Reports and Accounts. Departments are however required to report to HM Treasury the use of all special severance payments paid within the financial year in line with the published transparency requirements.

What the total cost of implementing the technical and procedural changes recommended in the Budget Information Security Review (February 2026) has been assessed as.

No additional resources have been identified as required by HM Treasury.

How (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) her Department check the office attendance of individual civil servants.

HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury operate hybrid working arrangements in line with the Civil Service expectation on office attendance. Employees are expected to spend at least 60 per cent of their time in the office. Line managers are responsible for monitoring attendance and for addressing non‑compliance using appropriate informal and formal management processes. Office attendance is monitored using available building access data or network log‑on information.

With reference to the answer of 1 September 2025 to Question HL9555 on Chagos Islands: Defence, what the percentage split is between the two Departments.

The payments split associated with the UK-Mauritius agreement on the Chagos Archipelago between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence will be published in the usual way alongside other Departmental spend in the annual accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department provides funding for the Global Equality Fund.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not provide funding for the Global Equality Fund, which ceased operations in 2025.

Whether she has issued guidance to Cabinet colleagues on making spending commitments over more than a 10 year period.

Spending Review 2025 set department budgets until 2028-29, with an additional year for capital investment.Alongside the Spending Review, HM Treasury also published a 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, with 10-year settlements for school rebuilding, Affordable Homes, flood defenses and maintenance budgets for schools, prison, hospitals and other public assets.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 105537 on Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness, what datasets are Departments required to submit to her Department quarterly as part of the Government Efficiency Framework; and whether there is guidance on the Government Efficiency Framework requirements.

The Government Efficiency Framework sets out guidance on how departments should monitor and report the delivery and realisation of efficiency savings.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Signal Group has undertaken work for the UK Government's Embassy in the United States.

The British Embassy in Washington engages on a regular basis with a wide range of organisations and partners across the United States in order to advance UK interests and the wider UK-US relationship.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department provides funding for the Equality Fund.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not provide funding for the Global Equality Fund, which ceased operations in 2025.

Whether the (a) National Museum of the Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force Museum, (c) Royal Marines Museum and (d) Royal Navy Submarine Museum accepted a free portrait of the King.

In 2023 the Government announced a new scheme to allow public authorities to apply for a free portrait of His Majesty to celebrate the new reign. The National Museum of the Royal Navy accepted a portrait for each of its sites which includes the Royal Marines Museum and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. The Royal Air Force Museum also accepted a portrait of His Majesty the King.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, whether there are plans for HM Government Communications Centre to remove the HM reference in its public branding.

No.

Who will (a) provide and (b) maintain nuclear weapons for use on the UK’s new F-35A aircraft.

As confirmed in June 2025 when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with our own nuclear weapons.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has issued recent guidance to public bodies on deemed planning consent in England for the Palestinian flag.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 110386 on 24 February 2026.

What system (a) officials and (b) special advisers in her Department use to determine how Parliamentary questions should be answered.

It is for the answering Minister to determine how to reply to a written parliamentary question, based on advice from officials.Treasury Ministers take their responsibilities to Parliament seriously and are committed to providing accurate and timely answers to Parliamentary questions.