Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774-1), whether the Return was subject to a Maxwellisation process.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the Noble Lady to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address, repeated in the House of Lords on 17 March 2026 (HL Deb, cols 768-771). The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774–1), whether they plan to publish Lord Mandelson's completed conflicts of interest form and declarations in a future volume of the return.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the Noble Lady to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address, repeated in the House of Lords on 17 March 2026 (HL Deb, cols 768-771). The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 24 February (HL Deb col 500), what the role of ministers will be in the decisions by the Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office in sifting the documents for the humble Address, including in (1) determining scope, and (2) redactions.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As set out in the Humble Address debate of 4th February, the process is being conducted and led by the Cabinet Secretary who has delegated the role to the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary. Civil servants are of course accountable to Ministers, who are in turn accountable to Parliament.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774-1), what role (1) the Cabinet Office legal advisers, (2) the National Security Adviser, and (3) deputy national security advisers, had a role in the redaction of material on national security grounds.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government does not comment on the details of any internal redaction processes, as the methodology applied will vary depending on the nature and sensitivity of the material in question.

In accordance with the exceptional procedures agreed for the Humble Address, dated 4 February 2026 relating to Peter Mandelson, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC) will make a final decision on redactions following the Government’s request.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 February (HL Deb col489), what is their current policy on (1) ministerial, (2) special adviser, and (3) civil service, engagement with Labour Together.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of Ministers and how they discharge their duties, including meeting with any external organisations.

Any external engagement by special advisers must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Similarly, any external engagement undertaken by civil servants must adhere to the Civil Service Code.

Guidance on the declaration and publication of external engagement undertaken by ministers, senior officials and special advisers is available on gov.uk at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696fa38cf6aa424b452e339a/2024_04_02-Special-Advisers-Transparency-Guidance.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696fa4ac2b64f0e8c32e33b2/2024_04_02-Senior-Officials-Transparency-Guidance.pdf.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to page 10 of Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774-1), what was the conclusion of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists investigation into Global Counsel.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

A summary of the investigation conducted by the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists on Global Counsel Limited was published on 21 February 2025 and is available on the website of the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774-1), whether Lord Mandelson used a non-government email address for government business while he was Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) 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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether Lord Mandelson was involved with the China Audit.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) 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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to page 101 of Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, published on 11 March (HC1774-1), what was the value of the end of tour leave payments made to Lord Mandelson after he was dismissed as Head of Mission and before he left the Civil Service; whether those payments were taxable; and whether any other resettlement payments or allowances were made to Lord Mandelson.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 854, cols. 769-783) 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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there was any communication between No 10 or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Global Counsel in relation to the visit by the Prime Minister and Lord Mandelson to Palantir in Washington DC in February 2025.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 854, cols. 769-783) 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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 14 October 2025 (HL10630), why the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not contribute to the established process to collate relevant information as part of the identification and selection of the appointee for the role of Ambassador to the United States.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 14 October 2025 to question HL10630.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the status of Morgan McSweeny's phone and the retention of electronic communications relating to government business contained on it; and whether that phone was (1) lost, or (2) stolen.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The former Chief of Staff’s phone was stolen, and he reported it at the time to the police and relevant teams in No10. This was before the Humble Address that was passed in February. The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation. I refer the Hon Member to the statement provided by the Metropolitan Police on 25 March and publication of the transcript confirming that the theft was reported.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government on what date or dates the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Cat Little wrote to departments asking them to retain electronic correspondence held on (1) government, and (2) non-government, devices relating to the Government response to the Humble Address of 4 February.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12th February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and repeated in the House of Lords that same day, and the Oral Statement on the 23rd February, in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, which set out an update on the Government's process and that Departments have been instructed to retain material that may be relevant to the motion.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 February (HL Deb col 490), whether there is any constitutional obstacle to the Government hiring an independent King's Counsel to investigate a suspended Minister, rather than asking the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to do so.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As Head of the Executive, the Prime Minister may request that any investigation work in relation to the conduct of serving Ministers is undertaken by a range of relevant individuals, including the Independent Adviser of Ministerial Standards or legal counsel.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 17 March (HL14055), why the Prime Minister’s meeting with Palantir and Lord Mandelson in Washington is not classed as a meeting for the purposes of the Downing Street’s quarterly transparency returns under the Cabinet Office guidance, Ministers' overseas travel and meetings: Publication Guidance, published on 30 January 2025.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Any contracts for any firm go through the usual rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 23 March (HC120630), what consideration they have given to amending primary legislation to provide for the Ministerial Pension Scheme to be in scope of forfeiture for situations where a former minister is convicted for a criminal offence in relation to their activities while serving as a minister.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government does not currently have any plans to amend the Ministerial Pension Scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 March (HL15172), on what date the guidance on speaking to the media was last updated.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Lady to the answer given in HL15172:

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 3 February (HL13976), and with reference to paragraph 223 of the Cabinet Office Guide to Parliamentary Work and paragraph 1.6(d) of the Ministerial Code, what is the reason why current policy development prevents the publication of the previous guidance to the Civil Service about speaking to the media. HL15172

Answer: This guidance is currently under development in a live policy area. Premature release of this information would inhibit the free and frank provision of advice for policy development.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 6 June 2025 (HC53886), how much was spent on the Prime Minister’s domestic flights in 2025; and whether this includes expenditure on carbon offsetting.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account.

Found: Letter dated 24/03/2026 from Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent to Baroness Finn, Lord Bellingham, Lord