Written questions by Wood.

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.

What recent progress he has made on updating the Cabinet Manual.

The Government takes the function of the Cabinet Manual seriously and we will keep it under review.

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.

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.

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.

What representations the National Cyber Security Centre received from Labour Together in relation to foreign cyber-attacks on its organisation.

The NCSC does not comment on operational matters. Any reports they receive are treated in confidence. The NCSC has published guidance on cyber security for political organisations at https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/defending-democracy/political-organisations.

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.

For what policy reason the Government has decided not to use the HM Government identity; and if he will publish the revised guidance held by the Government Digital Service and Government Communications Service.

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.

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 (a) his Department and (b) No10 undertook due diligence on the nomination of Matthew Doyle as a peer.

As a matter of policy, the Government does not publish information relating to individuals’ peerage nominations.

With reference to his oral contribution of 9 February 2026, Official Report, Column 573, on Standards in Public Life, what 1425 Bill he was referring to.

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister was referring to the Act passed in 1478 depriving George Nevile, the then-Duke of Bedford, of his peerage. The following correction has been issued to Hansard: … I have been informed that a Bill of that nature has not been brought before Parliament since 1478—[Interruption.] No, the 1917 Bill was about a collective group of peers who had been, I think, collaborating with the Germans around the first world war.

Pursuant to the oral answer of Baroness Smith of Basildon of 5 February 2026, Official Report, Column 1737, in what specific circumstances would the Government's proposed legislation remove an individual of their peerage title, and whether the legislation will be retrospective in relation to the peerages of (a) Peter Mandelson and (b) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor; and whether it will apply to hereditary peers who have never been a sitting member of the House of Lords in receipt of the Writ of Summons.

The Government will provide further details about the proposed legislation in due course. The title of Duke of York has been removed from the Roll of the Peerage and can no longer be used officially.

What guidance has been given to Ministers on whether they may pro-actively disclose their communications with Lord Mandelson prior to the publication of the Government’s response to the Humble Address.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th 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 for complying with the Humble Address motion. 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.

Further to his oral statement of 9 February 2026, on Updates on Standards in Public Life, what are the terms of reference of the review of the (a) declaration and publication of financial interests, (b) transparency around lobbying and (c) use of non-corporate communication channels within Government; and whether these reviews will be conducted by (i) the Cabinet Office or (ii) the Ethics and Integrity Commission.

The Prime Minister has asked the Ethics and Integrity Commission to conduct a review of the current arrangements relating to financial disclosures for ministers and senior officials, transparency around lobbying and the business appointment rules. A letter from the Prime Minister to the Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission setting out the terms of reference for the review is on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ethics-and-integrity-commission-to-review-lobbying-disclosure-and-access-to-government Further details on the review of use of non-corporate communication channels within Government will be provided in due course.