Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration her Department has given to the availability of refrigerant as part of the review of responses to the F gas Regulation in Great Britain: Reform of the HFC phasedown consultation.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra and DESNZ worked together closely on the proposal set out in the HFC phasedown consultation and continue to do so. This is why the proposal reflects plans for the rollout of heat pumps. Responses to the consultation are still being considered. The consultation asked respondents questions about the assumptions underpinning the proposal and potential impacts of the proposal which could include availability of refrigerants.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the consultation on F gas Regulation in Great Britain: Reform of the HFC phasedown.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra and DESNZ worked together closely on the proposal set out in the HFC phasedown consultation and continue to do so. This is why the proposal reflects plans for the rollout of heat pumps. Responses to the consultation are still being considered. The consultation asked respondents questions about the assumptions underpinning the proposal and potential impacts of the proposal which could include availability of refrigerants.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the 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, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March 2026, whether the Intelligence and Security Committee had access to independent legal advice for the consideration of the redaction of the material.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government does not comment on the resourcing decisions taken by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC).
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who had a role in the vetting process for Lord Mandelson.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
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.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his statement of 11 March 2026, Official Report, Column 364, on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion, for what reason he did not receive the request to approve the exit payment to Lord Mandelson.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer you 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.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Employment Appeal Tribunal of Mr P Easton v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025], whether the Government People Group has provided guidance on dismissing a civil servant for dishonesty on their application.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Individual departments are responsible for their own discipline policies and guidance, which detail formal processes and procedures. These policies align with the Civil Service Code and the Civil Service Management Code, which set out the standards and behaviour expected from all employees. Departments collect information internally as required, in accordance with GDPR.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) his department and (b) ACAS have issued on whether an employee can be summarily dismissed for gross misconduct if they lie or deceive when applying for the job.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
There is government guidance on GOV.UK on summary dismissal for reasons relating to gross misconduct. Acas has issued both a statutory Code of Practice and non-statutory guidance covering gross misconduct. These do not specifically mention dismissal for lying or deception during the recruitment process. Misconduct involving dishonesty may meet the threshold for gross misconduct if it fundamentally undermines trust and confidence.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson returned his (a) laptop, (b) iPhone and (c) iPad after he left the (i) Head of Mission role and (ii) civil service.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March to question 120357.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, 22 December 2025, whether he intends that the UK Government will make additional financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the provisions on the use of E-Gates.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
No.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his statement of 11 March 2026, Official Report, Column 364, on Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion, whether he has consulted lawyers in the Metropolitan Police.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
As per the statement from the Metropolitan Police on 4th February 2026, they are asking us to refrain from publishing any relevant documents that could prejudice their investigation. We do not comment on ongoing police investigations. The Government stands ready to support the police in whatever way it can.