Bernard Jenkin
Main Page: Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex) Artificial Superintelligence
Bernard Jenkin ExcerptsTuesday 8th September 2026
(1 week, 6 days ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Artificial Superintelligence Bill 2026-27 Read Hansard Text Watch Debate
A Ten Minute Rule Bill is a First Reading of a Private Members Bill, but with the sponsor permitted to make a ten minute speech outlining the reasons for the proposed legislation.
There is little chance of the Bill proceeding further unless there is unanimous consent for the Bill or the Government elects to support the Bill directly.
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Sir Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con)
I am as keen as anybody to get on with discussing the Health Bill, but this topic is too serious an opportunity to miss, given that the hon. Member for Leeds Central and Headingley (Alex Sobel) has raised such important issues. I really commend his speech and his initiative. Everybody should read it.
All I want to say is that a kind of unilateral disarmament on AI is not going to solve the international problem. China, Russia, North Korea, Iran: these are not respecters of international treaties or international laws, even if they were to sign such treaties or laws, and we do not want to disable our own industry. The jury is out on whether AI is an extinction-threatening phenomenon, but I really do commend the hon. Member for raising the topic. I hope he will forgive me for opposing the Bill because I want the debate to continue.
Question put (Standing Order No. 23) and agreed to.
Ordered,
That Alex Sobel, Jess Asato, John McDonnell, Afzal Khan, Dr Allison Gardner, Bambos Charalambous, Sir Desmond Swayne, Charlie Maynard, Manuela Perteghella, Ben Lake, Yasmin Qureshi and Wera Hobhouse present the Bill.
Alex Sobel accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a Second time on Friday 13 November, and to be printed (Bill 142).