Chinese Embassy

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

As is usual with a planning application, all interested parties were able to submit representations to the planning inquiry when that took place, and they have subsequently been able to submit representations to the department as it considered this application. There were submissions from the Foreign Office and the Home Office and I am sure that very due consideration will be paid to those, in the original process and as the matter moves forward.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

Mine is also a material planning question. Given the human rights abuses in China against the Uyghurs, the Tibetan people, the Hong Kongers and many others, large protests can be expected outside the embassy, and we surely want to facilitate those protests—the right for peaceful protest here in the UK. Police have expressed concern that the site is not appropriate for such protests. Is this being taken into consideration?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

The police, like other interested parties, are able to submit their information to the planning inspector and, now, to the Minister who is making the decision. When the decision is taken—and my understanding is that the final decision will be made on or before 20 January—all the relevant submissions will be made public.