Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill

Baroness Winterton of Doncaster Excerpts

Report stage & 3rd reading & 3rd reading: House of Commons & Report stage: House of Commons
Tuesday 10th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Sir Mark Hendrick]

rose—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)]

Order. A point of order should go through the Chair. It is either an intervention or a point of order; it cannot be both.

[Mr Ellwood]

I was trying to be courteous to the situation, Madam Deputy Speaker, but the message has now been given.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point of order. I hope that Members will not interrupt the debate with too many points of order. I am sure that the hon. Member for Preston (Sir Mark Hendrick) is clear that if there were any need to make a declaration, I would expect him to do so.

[Sir Mark Hendrick]

Yes, I was about to do so, Madam Deputy Speaker. I have consulted the Speaker’s Office—as it will confirm—and checked this point, and I wish to declare a visit to the Huawei factory 10 years ago.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I say in a polite fashion to the hon. Member for Preston (Sir Mark Hendrick), who is my friend outside of this Chamber, that he is also holding a Huawei reception next week. Perhaps he could declare that. I do not want him to get into trouble—I really don’t.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that point of order. As I have said, I am sure that the hon. Member for Preston will make any declarations necessary, and I hope that he has sought advice on the issue.

[Sir Mark Hendrick]

I have written to every Member in this House inviting them to the reception next week, but it is not a declarable interest.

If there are no more points of order, may I just ask the shadow Minister why she does not feel that it is appropriate to take the outlined course of action, given the evidence from GCHQ and the NCSC about Huawei’s limited role and the management of risk?