VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Lord Mandelson

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 22 April 2026UIN 124851

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question HL15477 on Lord Mandelson, whether Ministers are able to (a) provide a steer, (b) submit requests or (c) exercise a veto of Civil Service decisions to deem that material (i) is out of scope or (ii) should be redacted.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

As set out in the Humble Address debate of 4th February, the process is being conducted and led by the Cabinet Secretary who has delegated the role to the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary. Civil servants are of course accountable to Ministers, who are in turn accountable to Parliament.

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