Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Chloe Smith

Wednesday 10th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to ensure that democratic processes are protected against foreign influence.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chloe Smith)]

The first duty of the Government is of course to safeguard the nation, and we take the security and integrity of our democratic processes very seriously. Although we have not seen evidence of successful foreign interference, we are not complacent, and we will continue to do what is necessary to protect ourselves.

[Jeff Smith]

In order to protect ourselves, the chair of the Electoral Commission has said that we need new rules for online political advertising to combat external influence, particularly via Facebook and Twitter. When will the Government bring forward the legislation we need?

[Chloe Smith]

One of the very first things for me to do in my new role is to meet the Electoral Commission, and I look forward to discussing that with it.