Asked by: Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of UK intelligence services' overseas operations in addressing security threats to the UK; and what steps they will take to further enhance intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is a long standing policy of successive British Governments that we do not comment on intelligence matters. The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament has statutory oversight of the UK Intelligence Community, they oversee and report on the policy, expenditure and administration of the UK Intelligence Community. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the UK Intelligence Community for their continued work in keeping the UK safe.
Asked by: Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the United States regarding its diplomatic relationship with the government of Saudi Arabia.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
We maintain an open and regular dialogue with the Government of the United States of America about a range of issues, including diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Asked by: Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States regarding the temporary halt of a range of surveillance powers in that country; and what assessment they have made of the impact of that halt for the United Kingdom intelligence services in the light of the forthcoming bill regarding communications data.
Answered by Earl of Courtown - Captain of the Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
We have ongoing discussions with the US government on a full range of intelligence and security issues. The approval of the Freedom Act is a matter for the US government. With regard to the impact on our intelligence services of the temporary halt of a range of surveillance powers in the US, it is a long-standing policy of the British Government that we do not comment on intelligence matters. The Gracious Speech contained a commitment to bring forward legislation on communications data, and that legislation will extend to all of the investigatory powers covered in David Anderson’s review.