Written questions by Wood.

Whether (a) the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be placed on a statutory basis and (b) he plans to introduce primary legislation to reform lobbying regulation.

We will continue to work with the newly established Ethics and Integrity Commission to ensure that it achieves its aim of promoting the highest standards in public life. In respect of lobbying, on 11 March the Prime Minister wrote to the Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers, to commission a review into lobbying, disclosure and access to government. As set out in the Terms of reference, the Government will publish the Review’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament in due course thereafter.

What (a) representations and (b) complaints has the Ethics and Integrity Commission received since its creation relating to Lord Mandelson.

The purpose of the Ethics and Integrity Commission is to promote the highest standards in public life. Its terms of reference set out its responsibilities and remit, which can be found at the following link: https://eic.independent-commission.uk/what-we-do/terms-of-reference/ As set out in the terms of reference, the Ethics and Integrity Commission does not investigate individual cases.

Further to the answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 29 October 2025, to Question 83801, on Peers and Members: Social Class, and to the answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent of 5 February 2026, to Question HL13977, on Civil Service: Unpaid Work, how should the children of peers self-certify their social class if they apply to the Civil Service Internship Scheme in the absence of a classification by the Office for National Statistics.

All candidates are required to complete the questions set by ONS for determining socio-economic background based on their individual circumstances. For parental occupation this is at the age the candidate was 14. This allows the Civil Service to make a determination on their eligibility based on their answers. This is the same approach as was used for Fast Stream Internships under the previous administration.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104805 on Senior Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, whether (a) Cabinet and (b) Permanent Secretaries asked to leave posts will be given Civil Service Compensation Scheme terms as severance payments in future.

I refer to Minister Turley’s answer for 88716 and 95640. The Permanent Secretary model contract sets out the contractual detail on compensation payments for all Permanent Secretaries.

Further to the letter from the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary to the Hon Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 30 January 2026, on severance payments, what is the wider policy of the (a) Civil Service and (b) Cabinet Office on the practice of outgoing Permanent Secretaries being paid gardening leave from the public purse for their three month waiting period when leaving Crown employment.

The Business Appointment Rules for Crown Servants set out that Permanent Secretaries are required to observe a three month waiting period, and the Rules set out that it may be appropriate to pay former civil servants who are required to observe a waiting period before taking up an external role.

Whether Direct Ministerial Appointments have to declare political activity prior to appointment; what requirements they have to declare political activity whilst in post; and whether they are subject to restrictions on political campaigning and activity.

Direct Ministerial Appointments are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. This requires consideration of all political activity where that is an actual or perceived conflict to their role. The Code of Conduct also outlines the processes to be followed to consult with an appointing body or a sponsor department before significant political activity is undertaken by an appointee. The scope of acceptable political activity, including exemptions for those appointees who already hold elected office, are set out within the Code’s guidance. These processes are administered by the appointing body.

Whether Departments are required to disclose the renumeration of existing Direct Ministerial Appointments.

The responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments, as it has done under successive administrations. In order to promote transparency and consistency, the newly published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments now makes specific reference to remuneration details - where they are incurred - being included in the information that should form an announcement of a new appointment. However, the guidance does not require departments to revisit past announcements for existing appointments which are already in the public domain.

If he plans to review (a) the Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments, updated 16 January 2026, and (b) UK Security Vetting process.

The current version of the Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments is found on the Gov.uk website and was published on 30 October 2025. NSV is, of course, kept under constant review to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

With reference to the Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments, updated 16 January 2026, paragraph 8, what steps are taken if the National Security Vetting raises concerns about an appointee after the individual has been appointed.

The Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments sets out the processes departments should follow when national security vetting is required. The final decision on whether to proceed with an appointment rests with the appointing minister.

Whether his Department conducted a separate investigation into further wrongdoing following Peter Mandelson’s dismissal as Ambassador in September 2025.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will continue in parallel with the Metropolitan Police’s investigation.

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 Peter Mandelson will be interviewed as part of the Cabinet Secretary’s review.

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.

How the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will be made public.

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.

What role the Cabinet Secretary played in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

Whether the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will cover (a) his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and (b) financial transactions, intermediaries and foreign intelligence services.

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 the scope of the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson extends to (a) his conduct as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills between 2008 and 2010, (b) his earlier ministerial career and (c) his conduct as Ambassador.

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 the Cabinet Secretary’s review into Peter Mandelson will take evidence from officials who were involved in the due diligence and vetting processes, including (a) the propriety and ethics team, (b) UK Security Vetting, (c) the FCDO and (d) the Prime Minister’s former Chiefs of Staff.

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 the Cabinet Secretary gave advice to the Prime Minister on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States.

I refer you to the former Cabinet Secretary’s oral evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November 2025, and the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

Whether Tim Allan will receive a severance payment following his departure from Government as Director of Communications.

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individuals. The Model Contract for Special Advisers is published online and details the specific circumstances in which severance is payable.

On which dates Peter Mandelson attended meetings at 10 Downing Street since 4 July 2024, according to records held by the Downing Street Visitor Notification Service database.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and the Oral Statement on 23rd 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.