Written questions by Wood.

Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116149 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, on what campaigns in (a) France and (b) the United States social media influencers were used; what messaging they promoted; and whether their social media posts stated they were being paid by the Government.

The campaigns in France and the United States are GREAT Audacious Kingdom and GREAT USA. These campaigns are used to promote the UK internationally. The Government works closely with its creative agency to ensure all partnerships with creators comply with Advertising Standards Authority guidance. This requirement is built into creators' contracts.

Whether non-corporate communications including private email accounts are in scope of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister on 12 February, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process for complying with the Humble Address motion. I also refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

For what period of time is information on visits held on the Downing Street visitor notification system; and what happens to that information after that period of time.

It would not be appropriate to disclose this information for security reasons.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116167 on Peers, what information his Department holds on whether the Duke of York requested that he was removed from the Roll of the Peerage.

On 17 October 2025, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor voluntarily confirmed he would no longer use his title or the honours which had been conferred upon him. On 5 November 2025 he was removed from the Roll of the Peerage. The Government supports this decision taken by His Majesty The King.

Whether civil servants working in Number 10 have had meetings with Bute Energy since 4 July 2024.

The Government does not comment on private meetings held by officials.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 96206 on Lord Alli, whether people receiving No10 security passes were subject to security checks before the passes were given to then.

In line with the approach of successive administrations, it would not be appropriate to confirm or deny the security clearance status of individuals.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 111829 on Palantir, whether his Department holds a copy the presentation.

A copy of the presentation was not shared with the Prime Minister’s Office.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office of 12 February 2026, Official Report, Column 925, on Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion, if he will publish the letter on Palantir when sent.

I wrote to the Rt Hon Member for Skipton and Rippon on 25 February 2026. I also wrote to the Hon Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 25 February 2026, noting he will already be familiar with the Enterprise Agreement given he personally signed off the original spending approval for the contract during his time at the Cabinet Office under the previous Conservative government.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104191, on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether new or amended desk notes are formally approved by Ministers.

I refer the Hon. Gentleman to PQ 117763.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that the Government will publish a list of the categories of documents within scope, identifying (a) which have been disclosed, (b) which have been referred to the ISC and (c) which have been temporarily withheld because of a police investigation in the context of the humble Address relating to Peter Mandelson.

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

What guidance has the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Civil Service People Group given to the Civil Service and Whitehall Departments on the potential implications of the Employment Tribunal decision of Renowden v Office for National Statistics of February 2019 on the use of temporary promotions without open and fair competition.

The Government is committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to help deliver on our priorities. Neither the Cabinet Office or Government People Group has given additional guidance to Departments in relation to the use of temporary appointments. Decisions on the use of temporary recruitment are delegated to departments.

Pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2025, to Question 40914, on Prime Minister: Email, and Pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2025, to Question 41645, on Cabinet Office: Email, whether (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 Downing Street has disapplied the automatic deletion policy on emails, in light of the Humble Address of 4 February 2026.

I refer you to the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion. I also refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves

If he will introduce a mandatory retirement age for (a) regulated public appointments and (b) direct ministerial appointments.

Departments follow published guidance when making regulated public appointments and direct ministerial appointments: The “Governance Code on Public Appointments” sets out the process for making Public Appointments and includes the principle of appointment on merit. The “Guidance on making Direct Ministerial Appointments” explains the processes departments should follow when making a Direct Ministerial Appointment.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2026, to Question 104191, on Ministers: Public Appointments, whether the Cabinet Office holds desk notes on the appointment of peers.

The Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out the process and principles on making regulated public appointments. The Cabinet Office regularly provides advice to help departments implement government policy as part of the normal workings of government.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026, to Question 110815, on Special Advisers: ICT, what the status is of electronic records held on non-corporate communication devices by Morgan McSweeney; and what is the retention policy in relation to information held on his corporate devices and systems, including (a) no10 email and (b) no10 whatsapp.

Special Advisers are expected to comply with the Cabinet Office policies on the management of information and records. All official business should be conducted using official systems wherever possible. Where official information is created or received on non corporate communication devices, it must be handled in accordance with records management requirements, including being transferred to an appropriate official system where it forms part of the official record.

Pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2026, to Question 114869, on Civil Servants: Media and Public Speaking, and with reference to the policy development referenced in the answer of 3 February 2026, to Question HL13976, whether following the letter from the Institute for Government of 28 July 2025 and the reply from the Minister for the Cabinet Office of 14 October 2025, there is an intention to amend the current version of the guidance to Civil Servants on media and public speaking, separate to the guidance in the Civil Service Management Code.

I refer the Right Hon Gentleman to the answer to Parliamentary Question 114869.

Whether Ministers who are providing cover for a Minister who is on maternity leave receive an exit payment if they leave Ministerial office at the end of the maternity cover period.

Since 13 October 2025, ministers who serve for fewer than six months are expected to forgo their severance payment. Ministers who return to office within three months of leaving will be asked to forgo their salary until the end of that three-month period. Ministers providing temporary leave cover, outside of the provisions of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, are asked to waive their entitlement to a severance payment. Unpaid ministers are not entitled to a severance payment under the terms of the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

Whether special advisers provided advice to the Prime Minister on the appointment of the new Cabinet Secretary.

As set out in the GOV.uk announcement of the Cabinet Secretary appointment. “the Prime Minister and the First Civil Service Commissioner agreed a process to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary”.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113587,on Government departments: social media, whether the (a) Government Communications Service and (b) the sponsoring department monitor paid social influencers compliance with Advertising Standards Authority guidance.

The Government works closely with its creative agency to ensure all partnerships with creators comply with ASA guidance. This requirement is built into creators' contracts.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113608 on Government Communication Service, whether departmental efficiency savings agreed at the Spending Review 2025 will reduce the net size of the Government Communication Service.

I refer the Hon Gentleman to the answer given to Question 113608.