Chinese Embassy

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 20th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis]

I am grateful for the points the hon. Lady has made, but of course, we are already dealing with those challenges. Some Members seem to think that we do not have to mitigate and manage those risks at the moment. We do. There are those who think—and it is an entirely reasonable position if people want to take it—that the situation could get worse with the agreement of this embassy. As I have tried to explain, because of the mitigations we have put in place and the consolidation of the diplomatic estate, there are clear national security advantages as a consequence of this proposal. She does not perhaps agree now, but I hope she understands that the Government take these matters incredibly seriously and will do everything they can to safeguard our national security.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

China is notoriously transactional in its international relations, so what do we get in return?