Oral Answers to Questions

Gregory Stafford Excerpts

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chris Ward)]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. He is right about the reforms that we are trying to make to public procurement, and to improve our number of electric vehicles. I will write to him with the specifics on the Government Car Service.

[Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) (Con)]

T7. Happy St George’s day, Mr Speaker. When was Jonathan Powell appointed as the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory, and what security clearance was he given on appointment.

[Darren Jones]

I do not have that information to hand.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dan Jarvis]

If the hon. Member would like to write to me, I would be happy to look at the details of what she has raised. She will understand that I do not want to get into the detail of it now, but I give her an assurance that we look very carefully at all these matters and take decisions in our national security interests.

[Gregory Stafford]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Is it relevant to these questions?

[Gregory Stafford]

Yes.

[Mr Speaker]

Come on then, let’s hear it.

[Gregory Stafford]

In response to my question about Jonathan Powell’s security clearance, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said:

“I do not have that information to hand.”

[Clive Efford (Eltham and Chislehurst) (Lab)]

Not a point of order!

--- Later in debate ---

[Gregory Stafford]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said that he did not have the information to hand but did not indicate whether he was going to let me know what the answer was when he did have that information to hand. If the Chief Secretary does not provide me with a written answer to that question, what opportunities do I have in this House to get him to answer it?

[Mr Speaker]

I think we are trying to prolong an argument that you have already had. I do not think we need to worry, because I know you have the ability and certainly the time to pursue it in every manner possible.