Question
While it is unacceptable that Members of this Parliament are under constant hostile threat from foreign states, it is also unacceptable that this Government are unwilling to offer protection by taking appropriate action against China. Despite the CCP sanctioning, spying on and now accessing the phone and financial records of parliamentarians, the Government still refuse to publish the China audit in full or to publish any strategy on how to deal with this threat. Why, given all the evidence, have the Government not finally added China to the enhanced tier of FIRS? I draw attention to the fact that the Minister has dodged that question up to now. Given that the revelations we are talking about today happened in 2021, can he confirm whether a full UK investigation, alongside the FBI investigation, is now taking place?
Answer
I simply do not accept the premise of the question that the hon. Gentleman has asked, or the way that he asked it. This Government prioritise national security, and we will ensure that— [ Interruption. ] I find it unfortunate that Opposition Members are questioning this Government’s commitment to national security. There was a time, which will be well remembered, when matters of national security were not thrown across Dispatch Boxes in the way that we have seen done today. It is beyond disappointing that some Members are choosing to behave in that way, and I am afraid that it reflects very poorly on them. The hon. Member for Dundee Central (Chris Law) has heard what I have said about FIRS. He will understand that decisions about FIRS will be brought forward in the normal way, but I assure him that this Government will ensure that we have the appropriate legislative framework and the right operational toolkit to guard against the threats that we face.33% point-scoring 11% vibes
Verdict: RED (18/100)
The reply does not give a clear answer to either part of the question. On whether China should be added to the enhanced tier, it rejects the premise and says decisions will be made in the normal way, but it never explains why China is not being added. On whether a UK investigation is running alongside the FBI's inquiry into the 2021 revelations, it offers only general statements about national security and the Opposition's tone, with no answer on that point. A member of the public would likely need to ask again for specifics on both points.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the Government's reasoning for not adding China to the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS)? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply refuses the question's premise and says FIRS decisions will come 'in the normal way' and that the Government will ensure an appropriate legislative framework, but it never states why China is not being added to the enhanced tier. The refusal gives no reason, so the core 'why not' goes unanswered. |
| Is a full UK investigation, alongside the FBI investigation, now taking place into the 2021 revelations concerning China's access to parliamentarians' phone and financial records? | Not Addressed | Generic | The reply contains only general assertions about prioritising national security and criticism of the Opposition's tone; it says nothing about whether a UK investigation is taking place alongside the FBI into the 2021 revelations. |