Written questions by Wood.

What changes have been made to the guidance entitled Additional information on Exemptions, Thresholds, Expectations and Compliance, and Breaches of Spend Controls, updated on 20 January 2025.

Changes were made to the guidance entitled, Additional information on Exemptions, Thresholds, Expectations and Compliance, and Breaches of Spend Controls. These changes were to:Remove the text belowThreshold: Expenditure over £100,000 for the duration of the commitment (freehold acquisition cost or total rental expenditure to lease expiry)Replace with new text showing an increased threshold figure -Threshold: Expenditure over £500,000 for the duration of the commitment (freehold acquisition cost or total rental expenditure to lease expiry)All transactions of £1m per annum or over will require Ministerial approvalThese changes to the guidance were made to reflect changes to Cabinet Office controls which were made at the start of the 2023-24 financial year.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention.

We are always looking at ways to reduce barriers to trade - within our clear red lines - because having a smooth trading relationship with European partners is essential to driving growth at home. This is one of the options we are open to looking at to reduce barriers, and it’s right and responsible that we are looking at it to determine what is in the UK’s national interest. But we do not currently have any plans to join PEM.

What the Government's policy is on dynamic alignment with the European Union.

We are committed to resetting the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties to deliver growth and security for the UK. We have been clear that there will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement.

What the Government's policy is on regulatory alignment with the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689).

The UK is committed to establishing a proportionate AI regulatory approach which is grounded in science and supports growth and innovation, in the UK’s national interest. As we develop our approach to regulating AI, we recognise the need to engage with a range of international partners.

Media and Sport, what Freedom of Information disclosures her Department have made on Government Art Collection artwork in 10 Downing Street in the last five years.

In the last 5 years DCMS has disclosed information about the Government Art Collection artworks held at 10 Downing Street 20 times. Each request is looked at and handled on a case-by-case basis and where there is a non-disclosure or exemption applied, the reasons and rationale are clearly explained in the response.

If he will ensure that Departmental public appointments publish declarations of interest.

The Cabinet Office, and indeed all departments with Non-Executive Board Members, will publish declarations of interest of departmental Non-Executive Board Members in accordance with the guidance which can be found on gov.uk.

If she will request that the National Crime Agency undertakes an investigation into the (a) laundering of funds from Bangladesh into the United Kingdom and (b) role of the Awami League.

The UK is committed to fighting corruption and illicit finance both domestically and internationally. As with all cases, it is for independent law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to determine whether to undertake investigationsThe National Crime Agency is part of the UK's effort to support Bangladesh in tackling corruption as well as wider law enforcement issues. As a matter of policy, we do not routinely confirm or deny NCA investigations.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2024, to Question 21064, on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, if he will publish his Department's Commercial Transport Contract.

The Cabinet Office has a Contract in place with Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited (CTM). CTM provides a travel booking service for Cabinet Office staff when travel is permitted for business reasons. Information on this Contract can be found at the following Contracts Finder link:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/da014209-47d7-4805-8097-e191d7d1077f?origin=SearchResults&p=1

With reference to his Department's transparency data entitled Cabinet Office spend approvals: July to September 2024, published on 17 December 2024, who the payment with reference HMGP7103 is to; what the purpose is; and what period of time it covers.

The payment is to the landlord of offices occupied by government at 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ. The purpose is for payment of rent. It covers the time period of June 2024 to June 2025

Whether there is a data sharing agreement between his Department and HM Revenue and Customs on the work of (a) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, (b) the Propriety and Ethics Team, (c) the Honours unit, and (d) the Public Appointments unit.

The Memorandum of Understanding between HMRC and the Cabinet Office for the purpose of accessing HMRC information to assist honours committees in making ​recommendations​​​​​ about awarding honours to individuals can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sharing-hmrc-information-to-assist-honours-committees-recommendations/memorandum-of-understanding-accessing-hmrc-information-to-assist-honours-committees-in-making-recommendations-about-awarding-honours-to-individ There is also a data sharing agreement in place between the Cabinet Office and HMRC as a departmental user of the Apply for a Public Appointment Service. As was the case under the previous administration, there is no specific data sharing agreement between HMRC and the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards or the Propriety and Ethics team. Data sharing between departments is considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with UK GDPR.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 6100 on Civil Servants: Recruitment, if he will publish the (a) Department, (b) grade and (c) job title of each of the jobs advertised through Civil Service Jobs which were accessible only to civil servants since 5 July 2024.

As per our response to PQ6100 we are not able to provide this level of detail without individuals being identifiable.

Whether the recipients of compensation payments from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority will be subject to any (a) legal conditions and (b) non-disclosure requirements when accepting such payments.

The legal conditions that recipients of compensation will be subject to are to enable the swift and effective delivery of compensation. Regulation 35 of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2024 includes a duty on applicants to inform the Authority of any change in circumstances in relation to their application, and Regulation 41 includes powers to enable the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to carry out a review of a decision for the prevention of fraud or correction of error where this may be necessary. Recipients of compensation payments will not be subject to any non-disclosure requirements by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

How many and what proportion of the London properties managed by the Government Property Agency have shared-space gender-neutral toilets.

This information is not held centrally.

If he will list the members of the (a) Nominations Committee, (b) Investment Committee, (c) People and Operations Committee and (d) Resilience and Security Committee.

The Nominations Committee currently has no members. Recruitment for Non-Executive Board Members is currently underway. Members of the Investment Committee are as follows: Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Chief Operating Officer to the Cabinet Office, Chief Financial Officer to the Cabinet Office, Cabinet Office Commercial Director, Cabinet Office Chief Digital and Information Officer, Cabinet Office Chief People Officer and Cabinet Office Strategy Director. Members of the People & Operations Committee are as follows: Cabinet Office Chief Operating Officer, Government Chief Property Officer, Cabinet Office Chief People Officer, Cabinet Office Chief Digital and Information Officer, Cabinet Office SCS Diversity & Inclusion Champion, Cabinet Office SCS Race Champion, Cabinet Office SCS Gender Champion, Cabinet Office SCS Disability Champion, Cabinet Office SCS Social Mobility Champion, Cabinet Office Strategy Director, National Security Strategy Director, Civil Service Strategy Director, Functional Strategy, Performance and Capability Director, Joint Intelligence Organisation Director. Members of the Resilience and Security Committee are as follows: Cabinet Office Chief Operating Officer, Director General Propriety and Constitution, Group, Government Chief Security Officer, Cabinet Office Chief Digital and Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer to the Cabinet Office, Government Digital Service Chief Information Security Officer, Government Property Agency Chief Operating Officer, Cabinet Office Commercial Director, Intelligence and Security Director, Propriety and Ethics Director, No10 Corporate Services Deputy Director, Chief Digital Information Officer Crown Commercial Service

When the Cabinet Office board operating framework was last updated; and if he will place a copy in the Library of the House.

The Board Operating Framework was last updated in December 2023. As was the case under the previous administration, it is not standard practice for this to be published as this is an internal document.

Whether her Department has received representations from TheCityUk on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme since June 2022.

Since June 2022, the government has received representations from various organisations on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, including TheCityUk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether candidates for the US Ambassador role were vetted to Developed Vetting level.

All those appointed to FCDO roles undergo pre-employment checks and National Security Vetting. All Ambassador roles require Developed Vetting level clearance.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23677 on Gender Dysphoria: Health Services, whether he plans to consult on the revised Gender Reassignment HR policy and guidance.

The revised draft of the Civil Service model Gender Reassignment HR policy and guidance is currently out for consultation with key stakeholders across Government. As is the case for other civil service employee policies, whilst there is internal engagement with a range of stakeholders in the Civil Service, there are no plans for an external consultation.

What the grades were of the staff that supported the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards with his review into the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate; and which divisions those staff work in.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 28th January, in response to PQ 24882.

If she will provide guidance to Departments on ensuring that documentation referred to in written parliamentary questions is deposited in the Library.

It is important that Members receive full and helpful responses to parliamentary questions. As set out in the Guide to Parliamentary Work (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work), when referring to public documents departments should “include the relevant extracts in your written response as well as the relevant hyperlink”.We believe that publishing the relevant extract and link is the most effective and appropriate way to make such information available.