Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has authorised access talks to be given by the Civil Service to Labour MPs, further to the planned change in Prime Minister, and what criteria are used to determine whether a specific Member will be given such briefings.

The Prime Minister has agreed with the Cabinet Secretary that access talks can take place with declared candidates for the Labour Leadership.

Access talks will be led and coordinated by the Cabinet Secretary.