Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will review the appropriateness of arrangements and guidance on the use of WhatsApp and other electronic communications to conduct Government business with reference to (a) security, (b) transparency and (c) accountability.

Government has arrangements and guidance in place for the management of all electronic communications. As with all guidance, this is kept under review and updated as necessary. We are currently awaiting the judgement in legal proceedings in relation to government policy in this area. As such, I am not able to comment any further at this time.