Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he held discussions with the permanent secretary in his Department on a potential (a) conflict of interest or (b) breach of the Ministerial Code in respect of the decision to select Samlesbury as the location for the headquarters of the National Cyber Force.

A number of factors were taken into account when considering the locations for the National Cyber Force. The process was fully in accordance with normal Government practice and in line with the Government’s stated policy of Levelling Up and investing in public bodies right across the UK. Further details to the right hon. Member’s questions will be provided in response to his letter dated 29 April to the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence.