Apple: Advanced Data Protection Service

Debate between Lord Moylan and Lord Hanson of Flint

Monday 31st March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I know the noble Lord has long had an interest in these matters, because we served together some nine or 10 years ago on the Investigatory Powers Act. But he has to understand that, today, I cannot comment on operational matters relating to any issue, including neither confirming nor denying the existence of any notices. That is standard government procedure, and I cannot comment upon it. I know that I will, I am afraid, disappoint the noble Lord, but that is the answer I have to give him.

[Lord Moylan (Con)]

The fact that Apple has withdrawn this level of encryption from the UK is in the public domain, even if the noble Lord does not wish to comment on whether a notice has been issued. Can he comment on the fact that, for whatever reason, Apple has withdrawn that level of encryption from the UK? It is reported in the United States newspapers that it is because of a technical capability notice issued by the United Kingdom Government. Has this come up, in any sense, in discussions His Majesty’s Government have had with the United States Government in relation to both trade arrangements that might exist between us in the immediate future and our ambition to be an AI superpower in the near future?

UK Airports: British Passport Holders

Debate between Lord Moylan and Lord Hanson of Flint

Monday 3rd March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

The European Union, as is its right, is introducing an ETA for non-European Union members. One of the consequences of Brexit is that we are a non-EU member, so citizens of the United Kingdom will have to face that challenge in due course. As of now, there is no specific date for the introduction of the European transit arrangements, but that is coming downstream, so we need to examine it and take cognisance of it and its impact on a range of issues in relation to the United Kingdom.

[Lord Moylan (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness’s Question had very little to do with Brexit and a great deal more to do with the Schengen arrangements, of which we were never actually a member. However, I have my own question, which is this: when I fly from an Irish airport into Heathrow, I do not get asked to present my passport on arrival, in compliance with the common travel area arrangements of which we are a member. However, when I take a direct flight from a British airport to an Irish airport, I am required to queue up and show my passport. Has the Minister recently had discussions with the Irish Government about whether they are fulfilling their obligations under the common travel area in a fully reciprocal way?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

My understanding is that for movement between Ireland and the UK there is currently no border control. I know as a former Northern Ireland Minister—but it also relates to the settlement that the noble Lord’s previous Government made—that that is part of what was established to make sure that we meet our obligations under the Good Friday agreement. If he wishes to give me outside this Chamber an example of where the Irish Government have checked passports, I will certainly look at that, investigate it and report back to him and, if need be, to the House in due course.