Security of Ministers’ Offices and Communications Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Security of Ministers’ Offices and Communications

Julian Lewis Excerpts
Monday 28th June 2021

(2 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Julia Lopez Portrait Julia Lopez
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I quite agree with my hon. Friend. In the decisions we take throughout this pandemic to tighten the system to ensure that there are no concerns, such as those expressed by hon. Members, it is important that we do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Ministers should have the space to make important national decisions.

Julian Lewis Portrait Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con) [V]
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Does the Minister know whether there are rules common to all Departments on where security cameras can be sited and where they must not be sited?

Julia Lopez Portrait Julia Lopez
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My understanding is that the general policy is that cameras are not sited within Ministers’ offices. I think this situation was an outlier in that regard, and we will have a better understanding of why it occurred once the Department’s investigation is complete.