Written questions by Wood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was given the London Allowance after he was dismissed as Head of Mission and returned to the United Kingdom and before he left the Civil Service.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson received classified briefings prior to him obtaining Developed Vetting with Strap clearance.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, under which tax regime was Lord Mandelson’s salary and allowances subject to when he was Ambassador; and whether he was entitled to tax reliefs.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to Question 120407.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2026 to Question 108739 on UK Relations with EU: Fines, how many international agreements and treaties the UK has signed that included a termination provision since July 2024.

The texts of treaties that have been signed since July 2024 and laid before Parliament for scrutiny can be found on GOV.UK, including details of any termination provisions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers in her Department have met with (a) David Taylor and (b) Asia House since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings with external individuals and organisations are routinely published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on a quarterly basis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 115117 on Jonathan Powell, for what reason the direct ministerial appointment of John Powell as Special Envoy in early August 2024 was not announced until 6 September 2024.

Jonathan Powell was appointed in line with standard procedure, and his appointment announced in the usual way.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell attended the meeting on 23 July 2024 between the Mauritian Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy in early August 2024. All activities undertaken by him in that role were conducted appropriately and in line with established procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what visits the Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT undertook while he was in that role.

Mr Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy in early August 2024. All activities undertaken by him in that role were conducted appropriately and in line with established procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish contracts between her Department and Inter Mediate.

For over ten years, successive UK governments have partnered with Inter Mediate to advance peace efforts in conflicts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds a number of different civil society and non-governmental organisations for its mediation and conflict resolution work. We do not share details of the individual projects funded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was involved in the China Audit.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what dates Jonathan Powell had meetings with her Department to discuss the Chagos Islands in the period between 4 July 2024 and his appointment as Special Envoy in September 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in response to Questions 115117 on 3 March.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was paid as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations; and whether he completed a declaration of interests as Envoy.

Yes, on both counts.

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.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Senior Civil Service model contract, whether Lord Mandelson left the Senior Civil Service on grounds of (a) gross misconduct, (b) inefficiency, (c) compulsory early termination or (d) resignation.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister was consulted on a severance payment to Lord Mandelson.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was paid his standard (a) salary and (b) Civil Service pension in the period from his removal as Head of Mission to his departure from the Civil Service on 16 October 2025.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Global Counsel (a) staff and (b) clients attended official events at the British Embassy in Washington while Lord Mandelson was Ambassador.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to her French counterpart to recommend the forfeiture of Peter Mandelson’s decoration of the Legion of Honour.

That is a matter for the French authorities, as was the original decision to make the award.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson has retained a Civil Service pension during his tenure in the Senior Civil Service as 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.