Oct. 31 2023
Source Page: Letter from Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner to HikvisionFound: Letter from Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner to Hikvision
Oct. 26 2023
Source Page: Correspondence between Scottish Government and Hikvision: FOI releaseFound: Correspondence between Scottish Government and Hikvision: FOI release
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total cost to date of the removal of Hikvision cameras from Whitehall departments; and what estimate they have made of the cost to local authorities of removing Hikvision cameras from local council buildings.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
It is a long-standing policy that the Government does not comment on security arrangements including the details of security systems. However, the UK takes national security extremely seriously and has taken robust action to secure and protect its national security infrastructure.
Following Royal Assent of the Procurement Act on 26 October 2023 the Government committed to publishing a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment supplied by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of China from sensitive sites within six months. This timeline is due to be published by 26 April.
Sensitive sites were defined “as any building or complex that routinely holds secret material or above; any location that hosts a significant proportion of officials holding developed vetting clearance; any location which is routinely used by Ministers; and any government location covered under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.”
While local authorities may choose to follow the lead of central government in removing surveillance equipment they are under no obligation to do so. We encourage all organisations to follow NCSC supply chain security guidance when selecting a technology supplier. This guidance clearly sets the security standards that suppliers should meet and the considerations that organisations should be making during the procurement process.
Oct. 31 2023
Source Page: Letter from Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner to HikvisionFound: Letter from Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner to Hikvision
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had (1) with, or (2) about, Hikvision regarding the removal of surveillance cameras which comply with China’s National Intelligence Law from (a) sensitive sites, and (b) the UK’s public procurement supply chain.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office has not had discussions with Hikvision regarding the removal of surveillance cameras produced by companies subject to China's National Intelligence Law. A letter was written on 1 August 2023 to confirm the position of the Government in respect of the Written Ministerial Statement of 24 November 2022.
We have had regular internal discussions about protecting the UK’s public procurement supply chain.
Mentions:
1: None I have taken steps to reduce the Government’s exposure to Chinese operators, banning Hikvision and TikTok - Speech Link
2: Lord Fox (LD - Life peer) The Hikvision ban extends only to so-called sensitive sites, despite the fact that we have pushed hard - Speech Link
3: Lord Alton of Liverpool (XB - Life peer) The Minister has mentioned Hikvision, and I pay tribute to her for the way in which she interacted when - Speech Link
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the installation of Hikvision cameras being positioned in UK police stations.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Jan. 15 2024
Source Page: CCTV cameras on Scottish Government properties: FOI releaseFound: All existing CCTV equipment, including Hikvision and other companies’ products, is being replaced with
Mentions:
1: Lord Fox (LD - Life peer) noble Lord’s amendment, which we supported.I thank the Minister for her comment on sensitive sites and Hikvision - Speech Link
2: Lord Fox (LD - Life peer) actually that the language that the Government have used about non-sensitive sites is being used by Hikvision - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Kirsty Blackman (SNP - Aberdeen North) I have taken steps to reduce the Government’s exposure to Chinese operators, banning Hikvision and TikTok - Speech Link
2: Oliver Dowden (Con - Hertsmere) I have taken steps to reduce the Government’s exposure to Chinese operators, banning Hikvision and TikTok - Speech Link
3: Oliver Dowden (Con - Hertsmere) Lady is aware, we currently ban Hikvision, and indeed any other Chinese technology relating to CCTV. - Speech Link