Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Q25 of the evidence given by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) to the EFRA Committee on 26 March 2024, HC 163, whether the Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Office to investigate the compliance of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the Ministerial Code.

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the full statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during his appearance at that Select Committee meeting (questions 25 to 27). The Secretary of State has recused himself from these matters. It is not uncommon for Ministers to balance their work as a constituency MP with their roles as Ministers, and there are established processes which support that.