Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports that HSBC (a) expressed support for the National Security Law imposed by China upon Hong Kong and (b) froze bank accounts of pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong, in the context of the announcement of the appointment on 18 January 2021 of HSBC's Group Chairman to the Prime Minister’s Business Council to Build Back Better.

The Government engages in regular dialogue with businesses in Hong Kong and monitors the operation of the financial sector and its participants on an ongoing basis. Financial institutions operating in Hong Kong do so within a strict legal and regulatory framework.

The Build Back Better Council is being co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. It has 30 members, each appointed to draw together a wide range of leading business expertise from across the British economy, with the aim of working in partnership with government to unlock investment, boost job creation, and level up the whole of the UK.