Chinese Espionage: Parliament

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Balfe

Monday 13th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes a very important point. Obviously, the 18-month delay is unfortunate, which is why we are trying to fix the court services going forward. With regard to the point made by the noble Lord, there was the Roussev case, a piece of case law about the Official Secrets Act, which concerned the DPP, which is why additional information was taken and why the CPS has made its decision, from my understanding.

[Lord Balfe (Con)]

My Lords, I remind the Minister of the old Foreign Office dictum that we have no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests. It is in our permanent interest not to fall out disastrously with the biggest country in the world. We have to live with the Chinese and talk to them. Both sides must realise that there are things that cannot be done but, for goodness’ sake, let us stop talking about enemies and start talking about co-operation.

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I hope the noble Lord has appreciated that I have said “co-operate” twice in the last 13 minutes. He is right; however, the first duty of government is to provide for our safety and security. There is a balance here between making sure that the population of the United Kingdom is safe and secure and that your Lordships can go about their work unconcerned about the threat of espionage while, at the same time, appreciating the international reality, in a very uncertain world, that we need to make sure that we engage with our third-biggest trading partner.

European Union: Court of Justice

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Balfe

Wednesday 26th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Balfe]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether, in seeking a “reset” of relations with the European Union, they have considered accepting a role for the Court of Justice of the European Union.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)]

My Lords, there has been no change in the jurisdiction of European Court of Justice rulings in relation to the United Kingdom. We are clear that we will not be rejoining the single market or the customs union or re-establishing freedom of movement.

[Lord Balfe (Con)]

I am not sure whether I want to thank the Minister for her Answer or just note it. I am disappointed that the Attorney-General is not answering this Question, because it is fundamental: we say we will never leave the European Court of Human Rights but, if we are to have a reset of our relations with the European Union, surely we must have a dispute resolution procedure, and the dispute resolution procedure of the European communities is the Court of Justice of the European Union. So how can the Government reconcile their stated intention of resetting relations with the European Union with their other intention of not accepting any foreign judge being able to judge whether we are keeping our side of whatever bargains we strike?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I hate to disappoint the noble Lord that he had to have me and not the Attorney-General; if he would like to talk to the Attorney-General, he is more than welcome to join me in the Not-Content Lobby this afternoon.

With regard to the Question, we are quite clear: we are not giving a running commentary on this. We will always act in the national interest to secure what is best for Britain, including British businesses and citizens, while keeping to the red lines that were clearly outlined in our manifesto.