Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what formal guidance, policies and risk assessments he has issued to research institutions, NHS bodies and private genomics companies on the sharing of genomic data with foreign entities.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy (BSS) sets out how the country is strengthening resilience to a spectrum of biological threats. As part of the BSS, DSIT is ensuring the UK is a world leader in responsible innovation in engineering biology – working closely with academia and industry to improve shared awareness of security risks, and ensuring any measures to mitigate risks (including those related to genomic data) remain proportionate.
All organisations holding health data (including genomics data) must comply with GDPR. To comply with GDPR, DSIT and DHSC require safeguards to be in place when health data is transferred outside the UK, including a risk assessment for countries not recognised as offering an equivalent level of data protection by the UK.
On behalf of DSIT, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), have developed the Trusted Research campaign to advise academia on international collaborations, by informing them of the threat and helping them make decisions about research and research partners. NPSA and NCSC have also developed the Secure Innovation campaign to help new start-ups in the emerging and critical technology sectors think carefully about their partners and investment.
Alongside this work, DSIT’s Research Collaboration Advice Team offers the research sector tailored advice on managing the risks of international research collaboration. DSIT also engages in a two-way dialogue with policymakers, academia and industry on the responsible use of engineering biology and life sciences, through the Responsible Innovation Advisory Panel.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what formal guidance, policies, or risk assessments has the UK government issued to UK research institutions, NHS bodies, and private genomics companies regarding the sharing of genomic data with foreign entities.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given on 10 December to PQ 96655.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria does the Government use to determine whether a company constitutes a threat to national security and is thus placed under investigation by the Procurement Act 2023.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge to my answer on the 9th of December (PQ96652/3/4).
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how does the government assess the risks to UK citizens’ personal data and national security when collaborating with foreign genomics companies, especially in countries with restrictive or divergent data-security regimes.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK has one of the most robust data protection regimes in the world, with all organisations required to comply with our legislation to safeguard UK personal data when transferring it overseas. Our data regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office, has powers to take enforcement action and issue hefty fines. Individuals who consider that their data has been misused can also take legal action.
The UK Government is committed to harnessing the power of genomics as part of the 10 Year Health Plan, while mitigating potential risks.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria he uses to determine whether companies (a) constitute a threat to national security and (b) are placed under investigation under the Procurement Act 2023.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.
Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any Chinese companies have been debarred under the Procurement Act 2023.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.
Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any Chinese companies are under investigation under the Procurement Act 2023.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.
Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department is dealing with this matter under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. As such, we are seeking necessary clearances and will provide a response as soon as possible.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The FOI referred to was answered on 19 September 2025.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
A response to the Freedom of Information request (DBT reference: FOI2025/09368) was issued 02 October 2025.