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1581176

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2023
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Intestacy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2023 to Question 129848 on bona vacantia residential properties, who is responsible for notifying the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department that an empty property is suspected of being bona vacantia.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	133684
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/01/2023 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>It is open to anyone to notify the Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) of the Government Legal Department (GLD) of an empty property if it is an asset of a dissolved company or a deceased person’s estate (where it is believed they died intestate and without known entitled relatives). Information and guidance on how to notify of a dissolved company asset or refer a deceased person’s estate can be found on their website <a href="http://www.gov.uk/bonavacantia" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/bonavacantia</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Mid Dorset and North Poole answering member printed Michael Tomlinson question first answered 31/01/2023 09:11:14 answering member 4497 label Biography information for Michael Tomlinson
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1579530

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2023
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Intestacy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, who is responsible for determining whether an empty residential property is bona vacantia.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	129848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Treasury Solicitor acts for the Crown to administer the estates of people who die intestate (without a Will) and without known kin (entitled blood relatives) and collect the assets of dissolved companies and other various ownerless goods in England and Wales. The Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) of the Government Legal Department (GLD) deals with these matters on behalf of the Treasury Solicitor. BVD is responsible for determining whether an empty property is bona vacantia where they have been notified of the asset in relation to a dissolved company or a deceased person’s estate.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Mid Dorset and North Poole answering member printed Michael Tomlinson question first answered 26/01/2023 08:22:33 answering member 4497 label Biography information for Michael Tomlinson
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1354581

	registered interest
	date	10/09/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021: Ministers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, which Cabinet members will be attending the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	47031
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2021 answer text <p>We are currently finalising the UK Delegation for COP26. It is too early to confirm names at this stage, however we expect a number of Ministers from relevant government departments to be in attendance over the course of the event.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/09/2021 16:06:26 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1694677

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Ministers: Defamation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse is for settling claims for (a) defamation and (b) libel by Ministers since 19 December 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	17706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2024 answer text <p>In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.</p><p> </p><p>Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.</p><p> </p><p>This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.</p><p> </p><p>It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart grouped question UIN 17339 17407 17708 17709 question first answered 12/03/2024 11:53:51 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1694679

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Ministers: Defamation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal support provided to Ministers of the Crown in relation to claims for (a) defamation and (b) libel connected with their official duties since 19 December 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	17708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2024 answer text <p>In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.</p><p> </p><p>Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.</p><p> </p><p>This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.</p><p> </p><p>It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart grouped question UIN 17339 17407 17706 17709 question first answered 12/03/2024 11:53:51 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1694680

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Ministers: Defamation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many individual occasions the provision of legal support has been (a) authorised and (b) declined on claims for (i) defamation and (ii) libel connected with the official duties of Ministers of the Crown since 19 December 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	17709
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2024 answer text <p>In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.</p><p> </p><p>Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.</p><p> </p><p>This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.</p><p> </p><p>It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart grouped question UIN 17339 17407 17706 17708 question first answered 12/03/2024 11:53:51 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1624313

	registered interest
	date	27/04/2023
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Civil Service: Recruitment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 April 2023 to Question 182177 on Civil Service: Recruitment, if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Civil Service Nationality Rules to allow British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders with at least one British Nationals (Overseas) parent but who are not themselves British Nationals (Overseas) to be employed within the Civil Service.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	183156
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2023 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to amend the Civil Service Nationality Rules. They reflect a long standing legislative framework present under successive governments.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 03/05/2023 14:44:41 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1613113

	registered interest
	date	21/04/2023
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Civil Service: Recruitment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether persons with at least one British Nationals (Overseas) parent but who are not themselves British Nationals (Overseas) are eligible to be employed in the Civil Service.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	182177
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2023 answer text <p>The Civil Service Nationality Rules reflect a long-standing legislative framework that has existed under successive governments and govern eligibility for employment in the Civil Service on the grounds of nationality.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Whether or not an individual is eligible to work in the Civil Service under the nationality rules is dependent on their nationality only.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>An individual who had at least one British National (Overseas) parent, but who themselves was not a British National (Overseas), may still be eligible to work in the Civil Service if they meet the nationality rules in their own right.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Jeremy Quin question first answered 26/04/2023 16:14:40 answering member 4507 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Quin
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1421810

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2022
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Prime Minister: Information Officers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date the current Downing Street Director of Communications received Enhanced Developed Vetting and STRAP clearance.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	122763
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/02/2022 answer text <p>Civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to National Security Vetting. Vetting requirements are determined for each role on a case by case basis.</p><p> </p><p>It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes which would undermine national security.</p><p> </p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis grouped question UIN 122764 122765 122766 question first answered 21/02/2022 18:01:14 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook

1421811

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2022
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Prime Minister: Information Officers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date the current Downing Street Director of Communications applied for Enhanced Developed Vetting and STRAP clearance.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Matthew Pennycook
	uin	122764
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/02/2022 answer text <p>Civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to National Security Vetting. Vetting requirements are determined for each role on a case by case basis.</p><p> </p><p>It would not be appropriate to confirm which specific posts within the Department are the subject of vetting. Confirmation of which posts are subject to vetting at what level would highlight who within the Department has access to sensitive material and could be used for targeting purposes which would undermine national security.</p><p> </p><p>In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis grouped question UIN 122763 122765 122766 question first answered 21/02/2022 18:01:14 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4520 label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook