Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 September to Question 45769 on Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Aramco, what criteria are used to determine whether engagements are listed as hospitality or meetings in transparency data; and if he will make it his policy that all types of ministerial meeting must be declared as meetings in departmental transparency releases.

Departments declare all meetings with external organisations and individuals on a quarterly basis. An external organisation means any group, company, organisation or individual person external to Government. Departments also declare all hospitality in accordance with these criteria on a quarterly basis. Where hospitality is provided as part of a meeting both elements should be declared.