To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when an official of his Department was first made aware that the hon. Member of Ashford was the subject of the police investigation which led to his arrest; when this information was passed on to a Minister; and to which Minister this information was passed on. (240959)

I am advised that Cabinet Office officials were not aware that it was the hon. Member for Ashford who was the subject of the police investigation until after his arrest. Cabinet Office Ministers learnt about the arrest in reports emanating from the media. A description of the exchanges between Cabinet Office officials and the police is being submitted to the Public Administration Select Committee.