Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 941–960 of 2,405 · this parliament
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.
Whether the Prime Minister was the appointing Minister of Lord Mandelson as Head of Mission.
As Ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson was appointed by the Prime Minister.
Whether 10 Downing Street had discussions with representatives of Global Counsel over the visit of the Prime Minister to the offices of Palantir with Lord Mandelson.
The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff. In December 2025, the MOD signed an extension to the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir that had been initially awarded in November 2022, by the previous Government, and via a direct award. This extension covered existing services and ensured there was no drop-off in MOD capability in critical areas. This contract - and all other contracts for any firm - go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.
Whether the Prime Minister discussed UK defence procurement of services from Palantir during his visit in February 2025.
The visit was part of the Prime Minister's trip to Washington. During this visit the Prime Minister listened to a short presentation about Palantir’s work, followed by a tour of the premises and an introduction to members of staff. In December 2025, the MOD signed an extension to the Enterprise Agreement with Palantir that had been initially awarded in November 2022, by the previous Government, and via a direct award. This extension covered existing services and ensured there was no drop-off in MOD capability in critical areas. This contract - and all other contracts for any firm - go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.
Whether his Department archived emails (a) sent by and (b) received from John Pond between 2007 and 2010.
Yes. The Cabinet Office archives official communications in line with its obligations under the Public Records Act 1958, the Code of Practice on the Management of Records issued under section 46 the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Guidance for the management of Private Office information and records.
What his policy is on disclosing the remuneration of individual direct ministerial appointments who were appointed prior to the creation of the Direct Ministerial Appointment portal.
The responsibility for the publication of information on Direct Ministerial Appointments rests with individual sponsor departments, as it has done under successive administrations. In order to promote transparency and consistency, the newly published Guidance on Making Direct Ministerial Appointments now makes specific reference to remuneration details - where they are incurred - being included in the information that should form an announcement of a new appointment. However, the guidance does not require departments to revisit past announcements for existing appointments which are already in the public domain.
On what matters Tim Allan has recused himself.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by my Noble Friend on 04 March, Official Report (PQ HL13871).
Whether Lord Mandelson's (a) Fellowship of the 48 Group and (b) work for Global Counsel was considered during his Department's due diligence prior to appointment as Ambassador of the United States.
I refer the Hon Member to the former Cabinet Secretary’s letter to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee of 30 October 2025, which sets out the information that was considered as part of the due diligence exercise.
To which public inquiries his Department has submitted (a) documents and (b) other communications created between June 2007 and May 2010.
This information is not centrally held. Over 40 statutory public inquiries have been announced since 2006. The question potentially brings into scope all public inquiries that have taken place since June 2007. However, there is no centrally held data on documents or other communications created over the period specified and submitted to public inquiries by the Cabinet Office. Unfortunately, the cost to the public purse of accurately determining this information to would significantly exceed the current disproportionate cost threshold for answering written parliamentary questions set out in the Cabinet Office’s Guide to Parliamentary Work (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work).
If he will ask the US Department of Justice to provide the unredacted email addresses of people included in the emails to Jeffery Epstein that included Government documents.
A related police investigation is underway. The Government will support the police in whatever way it can.
With reference to his oral statement of 2 February 2026, Official Report, Col. 49, on US Department of Justice Release of Files, if he will publish the (a) letter sent by Gordon Brown to the Cabinet Secretary and (b) response.
The Government has no plans to publish private correspondence between Rt Hon Gordon Brown and the former Cabinet Secretary.
Pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026, to Question 108238, on Senior Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay, for what reason his exit payment was a severance payment.
I refer the Hon Member to Minister Turley’s answers on 20 January 2026 (PQs 104805 and 104161). The business case for the Cabinet Secretary’s departure from the Civil Service was calculated on the basis of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
Innovation and Technology, whether the deadline for applications for the appointment of the Chair of Ofcom was set for either (a) 18 December 2025 or (b) 5 January 2026.
The advert for applications was launched on 17 November 2025, with a deadline of 18 December 2025. On 17 December, the application deadline was extended until 5 January 2026, and the advert on gov.uk was amended to reflect this change.
What changes have been made to (a) Cabinet Office, (b) Government Digital Service and (c) Government Communications Service guidance on the use of (i) HM Government and (ii) UK Government branding, including when the latter should be used rather than the former in publicity and communications since July 2024.
Since July 2024, guidance has been updated to reflect the new Royal Coat of Arms following the accession of His Majesty The King. A strategic decision has been made to adopt "UK Government" as the primary identity for all public-facing communications.
If he will request that the Ethics and Integrity Commission undertakes an investigation in Arden Strategies and lobbying integrity.
The purpose of the Ethics and Integrity Commission is to promote the highest standards in public life. Its terms of reference set out its responsibilities and remit, which can be found at the following link: https://eic.independent-commission.uk/what-we-do/terms-of-reference/ As set out in the terms of reference, the Ethics and Integrity Commission does not investigate individual cases.
Pursuant to the answer of 5 January 2026, to Question 100882, on Disinformation, whether Storyzy is used to monitor content relating to gender issues.
GCS does not use Storyzy to monitor content relating to gender issues.
If he will place in the Library a copy of the election purdah guidance distributed to Whitehall departments for the Gorton and Denton Parliamentary by-election.
The rules governing the conduct of UK Government civil servants during a by-election are an extension of those that apply at all times as set out in the Civil Service Code and as described in the published guidance on general elections, which is published on gov.uk and can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-guidance-for-civil-servants. A reminder of these rules was provided to departments following the calling of the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Whether Lord Mandelson had a No10 pass whilst he was Ambassador to the United States.
As was the case under successive administrations, the Government does not comment on security matters.
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.