To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Department of Health and Social Care: Legal Costs
Tuesday 26th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal (a) support and (b) representation to Ministers in her Department in relation to their official conduct in each of the last three years.

Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information is not held centrally or collated in the format requested. More generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the long-standing policies on legal expenditure, as set out recently by Cabinet Office Ministers on 12 March 2024, Official Report, Question 17709 and 12 March 2024, Official Report, House of Lords, Cols. 1901-1904.


Written Question
Treasury: Legal Costs
Monday 25th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal (a) support and (b) representation to Ministers in his Department in relation to their official conduct in each of the last three years.

Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Such information is not centrally recorded or collated in the form requested.


Written Question
Home Office: Legal Costs
Monday 25th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal (a) support and (b) representation to Ministers in his Department in relation to their official conduct in each of the last three years.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

Such information is not centrally recorded or collated in the form requested. More generally, I would refer the honourable Member to the long-standing policies on legal expenditure, as set out recently by Cabinet Office Ministers on 12 March 2024, Official Report, PQ 17709 Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament and 12 March 2024, Official Report, House of Lords, Cols. 1901-1904. Ministers: Legal Costs - Hansard - UK Parliament.


Written Question
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Legal Costs
Monday 25th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal (a) support and (b) representation to Ministers in his Department in relation to their official conduct in each of the last three years.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Such information is not centrally recorded or collated in the form requested. More generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the long-standing policies on legal expenditure, as set out recently by Cabinet Office Ministers on 12 March 2024, Official Report, PQ 17709 and 12 March 2024, Official Report, House of Lords, Cols. 1901-1904.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Legal Costs
Monday 25th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost to the public purse was of legal (a) support and (b) representation to Ministers in his Department in relation to their official conduct in each of the last three years.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Such information is not centrally recorded or collated in the format requested. More generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the long-standing policies on legal expenditure, as set out recently by Cabinet Office Ministers on 12 March 2004, Official Report,17709 and 12 March 2024, Official Report, House of Lords, column 1901-1904.


Written Question
Department of Health and Social Care: Domestic Visits
Friday 22nd March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the destinations were of domestic overnight visits undertaken by Ministers within their Department in each of the last three financial years.

Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government publishes the details of the cost of overseas ministerial travel, including costs of travel, and other costs like accommodation and meals, on the GOV.UK website. But as has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not publish granular detail on ministers’ travel at home or abroad.


Written Question
Kate Sang
Tuesday 19th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish the advice from officials that provided the basis for her claims about Professor Kate Sang.

Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

It is a longstanding principle that advice between officials and ministers remains confidential.


Written Question
Cabinet Office: Defamation
Tuesday 19th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions have ministers in his department informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their personal capacity, (b) their official position and (c) both since 19 December 2019.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As set out in paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code: “The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority”. As a result, the Government is unable to provide the details requested.


Written Question
Treasury: Domestic Visits
Monday 18th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the destinations were of domestic overnight visits undertaken by Ministers within their Department in each of the last three financial years.

Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government publishes on GOV.UK details of the cost of overseas Ministerial travel, including costs of travel, and on other costs (visas, accommodation, meals).

But as has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not publish granular detail on Ministers’ travel at home or abroad.


Written Question
Home Office: Domestic Visits
Monday 18th March 2024

Asked by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the destinations were of domestic overnight visits undertaken by Ministers within their Department in each of the last three financial years.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to my response to UIN 17620 on 13th March 2024.