Written questions by Wood.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 113723 on 10 Downing Street: Artworks, what the Government Art Collection reference number was of the portrait of Horatio Nelson previously installed in the state rooms of 10 Downing Street.

The portrait of Horatio Nelson previously on display in 10 Downing Street was a loan from the National Maritime Museum. The work is currently undergoing conservation and will be reinstated at 10 Downing Street when this work is complete.

Media and Sport, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Civil Service Commission has received a Business Appointments application from the (1) departing chief executive of the Gambling Commission and (2) interim chief executive.

Employees of the Gambling Commission are not Crown servants and therefore not subject to the Business Appointments Applications process. As required by the model contract for Public Bodies, the Gambling Commission has robust policies in place to manage business appointments and conflicts of interest, including clear obligations under their Employee Code of Conduct to ensure that the risk of conflicts of interest are considered at the earliest opportunity. The Commission is satisfied that appropriate mitigations are in place to manage and reduce the risk of any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2026, to Question 110806, on Palantir, whether any other defence or Armed Forces staff accompanied the UK's Defence Attaché to the United States on the visit.

The UK Defence Attaché to the United States was the only representative from the Ministry of Defence present during the meeting. There were approximately 11 uniformed personnel and civil servants who also attended to observe a technology demonstration at Palantir HQ.

Pursuant to the answer of 13 January 2026, to Question 101069, on Erasmus+ Programme, what is the estimated ratio of the number of UK students who will visit the European Union, and the number of EU students who will visit the UK, in the first year of the programme.

In 2018/19, there were approximately 31,000 inbound higher education (HE) student mobilities via the Erasmus+ Programme. There were approximately 16,000 outbound HE student mobilities in the same year.The department expects there will be a greater number of HE mobilities on reassociation, given the expansion of the programme.

Pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2025, to Question 84664, on Universities: Admissions, if she will publish the terms of reference of the task and finish group into higher education admissions; and what the definition is of disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Terms of Reference of the Access and Participation Task and Finish Group were published on GOV.UK in February 2026:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6985f6bf85bc7d6ba0fbc74f/HE_Access_and_Participation_Task_and_Finish_Group_-_Terms_of_Reference.pdf.The Task and Finish Group’s remit is to consider regional disparities and how to tackle the most systemic barriers across the journey into higher education for disadvantaged students.The department has not issued direct guidance to the group on the definition of disadvantage for admission purposes.

If he will initiate a leak inquiry into the reported leaking of the discussions of the National Security Council on British military action in the Middle East.

The Government Security Group is conducting an inquiry into this unauthorised disclosure, drawing on the full range of powers at their disposal. In line with normal practice, the Government does not comment on a live inquiry.

Pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 94199 on Mission Boards, on what dates the Mission Board met since it ceased to be a Cabinet committee.

Since the Safer Streets Mission Board ceased to be a Cabinet Committee in November 2025, it has not met.The Safer Streets Mission Delivery Board meets monthly and is chaired by the Director General for the Public Safety Group.

Whether Ministers in her Department have met with (a) David Taylor and (b) Asia House since 4 July 2024.

Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development and delivery.The details are published in quarterly stats. Home Office: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings - GOV.UK

Pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 114873 on Home Office: Redundancy Pay, whether exit payments made to the last two Cabinet Secretaries were eligible for the £30,000 tax-free allowance.

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individual employment matters. The guidance on tax on severance payments is here: https://www.gov.uk/termination-payments-and-tax-when-you-leave-a-job/what-you-pay-tax-and-national-insurance-on

Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 111932, on Lord Mandelson, what discussions (a) Morgan McSweeney and (b) Paul Ovenden had via email on this matter.

I refer the Hon Member 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.

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament on providing independent resourcing to the Committee, separate from the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office officials engage routinely and constructively with the Committee and will continue to do so. The Cabinet Office has agreed to the Committee’s requested uplift on budgeting and resourcing, which should help it to continue to undertake its critical role effectively. Cabinet Office officials are also working with the ISC to identify the best operating model for the future.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113130 on Official Cars: Global Positioning System, whether the location of the Government Car Service driver is shared with the Private Office via (a) text and (b) location sharing.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer on 24 February 2026 (PQ 113130).

Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2026, to Question 115437, on Civil Servants: Redundancy, if he will make it his policy to publish the information on projected exits in an anonymised or Barnardised format.

Departments publish details of exits made under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme within their Annual Report and Accounts.

What advice departmental officials in charge of the Cabinet Office guidance on consultations have given departments on whether consultation responses submitted from organisations or individuals subject to a policy of non-engagement should be disregarded.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer on 16 January 2026 (103769).

Pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 54277 on Cabinet Office: Freedom of Information, when he plans to lay the updated Handbook in the Library of the House.

Updates to the Honours Committee handbook are ongoing. Once these updates have been completed, the relevant version will be laid in the House Library.

How much has been spent by the (a) Cabinet Office, (b) HM Treasury and (c) Government Property Agency on the Prime Minister’s official residence in 11 Downing Street since 4 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts, which contains the total expenditure on the Prime Minister’s residence.

What guidance has the (a) Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution Group and (b) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards given to Ministers on whether they must declare a (1) close personal or (2) sexual relationship in their declaration of Ministerial interests to (i) the Permanent Secretary and (ii) Independent Adviser, where such an individual has dealings with the Department.

The Ministerial Code sets out the high standards of behaviour expected of those who serve in Government, including the requirement that ministers ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise There is an established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers, as set out in the Ministerial Code. This process ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026, to Question 111829, on Palantir, what guidance has the Cabinet Office (a) Propriety and Ethics Team and (b) transparency team, given on whether the presentation, tour and introduction of members of staff given to the Prime Minister would classify the event as a meeting with an external organisation.

Guidance on the declaration of ministers' overseas travel and meetings can be found on GOV.UK at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance.

Through what mechanism his Department reminds public bodies of the requirements to submit public sector facility time data each year; and whether this includes an electronic communication to public bodies sent by the Cabinet Office.

Each year Cabinet Office sent an electronic communication, reminding those who had submitted public sector facility time data in the previous year, of the requirements to submit public sector facility time. Cabinet Office no longer sends any such communication, following the repeal of the requirement to report facility time data to the Cabinet Office as part of the Employment Rights Act (2025).

For what reason Capita has been made the preferred bidder for the DWP Synergy Civil Service payroll contract.

The Synergy programme has awarded its Business Processing Services contract after a robust process, conducted in line with Government procurement regulations. Its priority is to ensure continuity of service and value for public money.