Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what guidance he issues to Departments on whether they may decline to publish or signpost information which has otherwise been released to members of the public under Freedom of Information laws.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The Guide to Parliamentary Work (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work), published by my office, sets out the government's position regarding the relationship between the treatment of requests for information through parliamentary questions and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000. Paragraph 221 states that “if information would be released under FOI, it would also be released in response to a WPQ”.

I have written to all Members of Cabinet and spoken with Departmental Parliamentary Clerks and Permanent Secretaries to remind departments and Ministers about the importance of providing full and helpful responses to WPQs.

In addition, the House of Commons Procedure Committee recently launched an inquiry into WPQs which is considering the interaction between WPQs and FOIs. I look forward to working with the Committee as this work progresses.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, whether he has had discussions with the House Authorities on guidance issued on parliamentary engagement with organisations whom the Government have banned engagement with.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

No such conversations have taken place between myself and the House Authorities.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, if he will take steps to review the membership of the Privy Council.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

There are no current plans to review membership of the Privy Council. Information regarding membership and the arrangements for appointment to the Council is publicly available on the Privy Council Office website.

Require MPs to provide clear and relevant answers to serious questions and discourage the use of jokes, deflection or avoidance during parliamentary scrutiny, so debates are conducted with seriousness and respect for the British public.

Ensure the elected representatives of the people have the relevant real world experience necessary to make more informed decisions.

Found: dated 11 February 2026 from Lord Foster of Bath, JHA Committee Chair to Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House

Found: the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, HC 732, paras 3–12 8 Letter from the Chair to the Leader of the House

Found: Yours sincerely, Rt Hon Jesse Norman Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Member of Parliament

Found: Yours sincerely, Rt Hon Jesse Norman Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Member of Parliament

Found: Member) HoL Danielle Nash Director of R&R Boards and Groups R&R CT Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP Leader of the House

Found: Member) HoL Danielle Nash Director of R&R Boards and Groups R&R CT Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP Leader of the House

Question

To ask The Leader of the House what steps they are taking, if any, to develop a methodology for assessing the cost of answering written questions; and, if so, whether this involves the use of artificial intelligence.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The current disproportionate cost threshold for written questions is £850. A review was undertaken in 2021 following the House of Commons Procedure Committee’s report, as a result the methodology in the 2022 version of the Guide to Parliamentary Work was updated. The threshold is set at 140% of the Freedom of Information Act cost limit which is currently set at £600, to the nearest £50. The Government will carry out an updated estimate on the cost of questions for written answer in due course. Any artificial intelligence used will adhere to Civil Service guidance in the “Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government” which sets out principles for the use of a wider range of artificial intelligence technologies safely, effectively and responsibly.

Question

To ask The Leader of the House what is the current disproportionate cost threshold for written parliamentary questions and when was it last adjusted.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The current disproportionate cost threshold for written questions is £850. A review was undertaken in 2021 following the House of Commons Procedure Committee’s report, as a result the methodology in the 2022 version of the Guide to Parliamentary Work was updated. The threshold is set at 140% of the Freedom of Information Act cost limit which is currently set at £600, to the nearest £50. The Government will carry out an updated estimate on the cost of questions for written answer in due course. Any artificial intelligence used will adhere to Civil Service guidance in the “Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government” which sets out principles for the use of a wider range of artificial intelligence technologies safely, effectively and responsibly.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to answer 109832 of 4 February 2026 on Animal Welfare: Fines, what conversations she has had with the Leader of the House regarding the planned timetabling for the introduction of legislation to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The commitment to review and look to strengthen penalties for cruelty against wildlife - so they are consistent with higher levels of sentencing available for animal welfare offences against pets and livestock - was made in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025. Any strengthening of penalties for cruelty against wildlife will require primary legislation, and Defra will seek to deliver this change as soon as a suitable primary vehicle is identified. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not yet held conversations with the Leader of the House regarding the planned timetabling for the introduction of this legislation.

Question

To ask The Leader of the House when she expects a Written Answer to be given to the question asked by Lord Jackson of Peterborough on 3 December 2025 (HL12630).

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

I regret that the question for written answer HL12630 remains unanswered by the Cabinet Office. My officials have reminded the department that a response is overdue and they have apologised for the delay. I have been assured that a response will be issued as soon as possible.