Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to (a) maintain and (b) enhance (i) intelligence-sharing and (ii) security cooperation with (A) Germany and (B) other allies.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK has excellent sovereign capabilities, but these are enhanced and extended by our international alliances. The Government recently published it response to the Intelligence and Security Committee Report on 'International Partnerships', and welcomes the important oversight provided by the Committee. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to broadening and deepening our relationships with Germany and allies, who make an invaluable contribution to the safety and security of the UK.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to grant the Intelligence and Security Committee oversight of the National Security Online Information Team.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The role and remit of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (the ISC) is set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013 and accompanying Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the Committee and the Prime Minister.
The ISC oversees the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of MI5, SIS, GCHQ, Defence Intelligence, the Joint Intelligence Organisation, the National Security Secretariat and Homeland Security Group.
The National Security and Online Information Team is already overseen by the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee in the House of Commons and the Science and Technology Committee in the House of Lords. Consequently, there are no plans to grant the ISC additional oversight of NSOIT’s work.
Asked by: Lord Hay of Ballyore (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of UK intelligence services' overseas operations in addressing security threats to the UK; and what steps they will take to further enhance intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is a long standing policy of successive British Governments that we do not comment on intelligence matters. The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament has statutory oversight of the UK Intelligence Community, they oversee and report on the policy, expenditure and administration of the UK Intelligence Community. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the UK Intelligence Community for their continued work in keeping the UK safe.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Intelligence and Security Committee report on Russia, HC 632, published on 21 July 2020, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK General Elections are not affected by political interference.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Hon Member for Brighton Pavilion to my answer on 26th October 2023 (PQ 203720).
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament report entitled China, published on 13 July 2023, what recent steps his Department has taken to mitigate the potential risks highlighted in that report associated with UK-China investment initiatives.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
As highlighted in the government’s response to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament’s report on China, the government will not hesitate to use our powers to protect national security where we identify concerns.
The government continues to provide guidance to businesses to protect investments, including the National Protective Security Authority’s ‘Secure Innovation Campaign’.
The government has powers under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise and, where necessary, intervene in acquisitions of control over entities and assets in or linked to the UK that may pose national security risks. Of the 15 final orders issued during the 2022-2023 financial year, eight involved acquirers associated with China. The government carefully monitors the effect of this system in mitigating risks. This includes seeking frequent feedback, such as through the recent Call for Evidence launched on 13 November 2023.
The steps the government has taken related to the China report recommendations can be found in the Government Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament Report ‘China’: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-isc-china-report
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament report entitled China, published on 13 July 2023, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies on appointments in international investment initiatives of the findings of that report.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government recognises China as an epoch-defining and systemic challenge, and has taken robust action to build our domestic resilience and safeguard our national security. HMG is grateful for the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament's China Report and has put in place a range of measures to protect our infrastructure and supply chains, including the National Security and Investment Act. In addition, the National Security Act brings together vital new measures to protect our national security.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee on implementing the Committee's recommendations in its report entitled China, published on 13 July 2023.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The government’s approach to China is guided by three pillars: strengthening our national security protections, aligning and cooperating with our partners, and engaging where it is consistent with our interest. Recent steps to strengthen our national security protections include: scrutiny of foreign investment in the UK under the National Security and Investment Act and passing the National Security Act, which overhauls the United Kingdom’s espionage laws.
The government greatly values the independent oversight provided by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The Cabinet Office regularly engages with the Committee to support their oversight, including on China, and to provide updates on our response to policy recommendations found in a wide range of ISC reports.
The steps the government has taken to implement recommendations in the China report can be found in the Government Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament Report ‘China’: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-isc-china-report
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament report entitled China, published on 13 July 2023, what recent steps his Department has taken to protect (a) the economy and (b) national security from Chinese interference.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The government’s approach to China is guided by three pillars: strengthening our national security protections, aligning and cooperating with our partners, and engaging where it is consistent with our interest. Recent steps to strengthen our national security protections include: scrutiny of foreign investment in the UK under the National Security and Investment Act and passing the National Security Act, which overhauls the United Kingdom’s espionage laws.
The government greatly values the independent oversight provided by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The Cabinet Office regularly engages with the Committee to support their oversight, including on China, and to provide updates on our response to policy recommendations found in a wide range of ISC reports.
The steps the government has taken to implement recommendations in the China report can be found in the Government Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament Report ‘China’: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-isc-china-report
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) China’s compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, in particular any infringement on the autonomy of Hong Kong, (2) the treatment of the Uyghurs in China and whether this amounts to genocide, (3) the sanctioning of UK parliamentarians by China, and (4) allegations of intelligence operatives placed by the government of China in the UK Parliament; and whether they have considered any such assessment before deciding on a resumption of JETCO talks.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
China remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Hong Kong has retained some economic autonomy however actions by the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, including the imposition of the National Security Law, continue to erode civil and political rights.
On 18 October, the UK led a UN Third Committee joint statement on behalf of 51 countries, urging China to end its human rights violations in Xinjiang. Any judgement as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for judicial decision.
On espionage allegations, it would be inappropriate to comment on the Metropolitan Police's live investigation.
During his recent visit to China, the Foreign Secretary raised Xinjiang, Hong Kong and made clear that Chinese sanctions against British Parliamentarians are unacceptable and pressed for them to be lifted.
The UK Government has not made any decision on JETCO.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication on 14 September of their response to the report from the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, China, when they will move a motion for debate to enable the House of Lords to discuss its findings and recommendations.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
I am pleased to refer the noble Lord to the upcoming debate on the government’s position on the long-term strategic challenges posed by China, to be held in the House of Lords on 19 October.