Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 October (HL1373), whether Sue Gray agreed the terms of reference for her role as envoy to the nations and regions with the Prime Minister prior to accepting the post and, if so, why these terms have yet to be published; whether her new role is part-time or full-time; and what is the salary and pension of this new role.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There is no further update following the answer given in HL1373.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date Sue Gray formally took up her role as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the nations and regions.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There is no further update following the answer given in HL1373.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Prime Minister had with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively before appointing Sue Gray as his envoy to the nations and regions of the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Prime Minister began immediate work to reset relationships with leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and regional mayors in England. The Prime Minister travelled to meet with the First Ministers in Scotland and Wales, and the First Minister and deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland within the first week of being in office. He also hosted the regional mayors for a meeting in Downing Street. He has since had further correspondence and conversations with leaders across the nations and regions, including at the first Council of the Nations and Regions. He speaks regularly to the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including at Cabinet meetings.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Prime Minister had with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, and combined authority mayors prior to appointing Sue Gray as his envoy to the nations and regions.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Prime Minister began immediate work to reset relationships with leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and regional mayors in England. The Prime Minister travelled to meet with the First Ministers in Scotland and Wales, and the First Minister and deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland within the first week of being in office. He also hosted the regional mayors for a meeting in Downing Street. He has since had further correspondence and conversations with leaders across the nations and regions, including at the first Council of the Nations and Regions. He speaks regularly to the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including at Cabinet meetings.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 4 October (HL1104), what role Sue Gray will have in her new Envoy position in liaising with political parties and politicians in (1) Northern Ireland, and (2) Ireland, including Sinn Fein.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The terms of reference for the Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role, including how the Envoy will work with Cabinet Ministers and devolved counterparts to support the Government’s efforts to reset relations across the UK.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) meetings, and (2) phone or video calls, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff has had with representatives of Sinn Fein since the general election.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Special advisers are required to abide by the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers at all times and are required to make declarations in line with published transparency guidance. Under the guidance, which was also in place for the previous Administration, details of meetings between special advisers and the devolved governments or political parties are not disclosed.