Written questions by Wood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson used a non-corporate communication device for government business whilst 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, what involvement Lord Mandelson had, whilst Ambassador to the United States, in relation to the Chagos Islands treaty.

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, what information her department holds on whether representatives of Global Counsel attended (a) meetings or (b) receptions in the Embassy in Washington, during the tenure of Peter Mandelson as 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, what discussions did the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff have with the then Permanent Under-Secretary of the department in relation to the appointment of Lord Mandelson 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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether representatives of Global Counsel were invited to (a) meetings and (b) receptions in the UK Embassy in Washington during the tenure of Lord Mandelson as 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, when the US government informed the Government of the pending disclosure of files relating to (a) Peter Mandelson and bi) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The UK has had no advance notice of specific disclosures on the US Justice Department's website.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson used a non-corporate email address, in whole or in part, for Government business, whilst 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, pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025, to Question 86672, on Palantir, whether there were communications between Embassy officials and Global Counsel over the visit, and whether representatives of Global Counsel attended the visit with Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister to the offices of Palantir in Washington.

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 it his policy to disclose forthwith whether an exit payment was made to Lord Mandelson by HM Government following Lord Mandelson's departure from the Civil Service.

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, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2026, to Question 101383, on Government Actuary's Department: Freedom of Information, what the total cost would be in cash terms over 99 years without net present value discounting.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on this and other matters during the Urgent Question debate on 26 January. As an expert in the financial services industry, he will understand that it is simply wrong to ignore the effects of inflation and the changing value of money on the real costs of a deal that lasts 99 years.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has received representations from Inter Mediate on sanctions on the Syrian government.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 June 2025 to the question 52690.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2025, to Question 69770, if he will publish information on meetings held with officials.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) already publishes quarterly transparency data on the external meetings held by the department's permanent under secretaries, directors general, and finance and commercial directors. Publishing comprehensive lists of all the external meetings held by every member of FCDO staff based in the UK and overseas could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department uses the Global Disinformation Index service.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government's response entitled Repeal of section 76B of the Mauritian Criminal Code by the National Assembly in Mauritius, published on 30 October 2025, what information her Department holds on the reasons for which section 76B of the Mauritian Criminal Code was repealed.

I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement I gave to the House on 15 December 2025 (HCWS1166).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, who the members are of the Quint working group.

The Hon Member may be referring to the informal grouping of the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany and Italy which, for example, works alongside the EU and NATO on promoting stability in the Western Balkans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government gave assurances to the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London after 4 July 2024 and before the previously refused planning application was resubmitted by the Chinese Government.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 14 July 2025 to Question 65869.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025, to Question 81874, on Diplomatic Service: Public Appointments, if Heads of Mission are appointed by open and fair competition; and what role does the Civil Service Commission play in the appointments of Ambassadors.

I refer the Hon Member to the oral evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 3 November, where these issues were addressed at length.

Commonwealth and Development, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77563 on Palantir, whether the visit to Palantir was arranged through Global Counsel; and whether Lord Mandelson was involved in arranging that visit.

Officials from our Embassy in Washington arranged this trip in the normal way.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 74773 on Civil Servants: Resignations, whether any civil servants have resigned in response to the letter from the Permanent Under-Secretaries.

It is the longstanding policy of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office under successive governments not to comment on internal HR matters.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will her Department's contracts with Inter Mediate.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 25 September 2025 to question 70453.