Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any departmental business within (a) his Department and (b) HM Revenue and Customs has been conducted on private email addresses; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that full records are kept of that business.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Cabinet Office guidance to departments on use of private emails.

It is government policy not to comment on specific technical security controls; however, the incidental personal use of private email accounts from departmental systems is subject to our Acceptable Use policy, in spare time.