Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Metropolitan Police on the called-in application for the proposed new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets.

Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk as part of the government’s transparency agenda.

An independent Planning Inspector will hold a public inquiry at which interested parties will be able to put forward evidence and representations. These will be taken into account when a final decision is made.

Following the inquiry, the Inspector’s report and recommendation will be sent to MHCLG, and Planning Ministers will then reach a decision on whether to grant planning permission.