Question
Mr Speaker, I know you take the safety of Members of this House very seriously. These revelations are deeply alarming and reflect yet another attack on our liberal democracy. As MPs, we know that our parliamentary staff receive regular reminders to be vigilant against the CCP and its efforts to gain sensitive information. We receive those as MPs, yet we are told that the Home Office has not taken proactive steps to inform the Members concerned in this case. I do not think the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith), who asked the urgent question, got the response he possibly deserves, so I will try again. When were Ministers first aware and when were officials first aware of the information that was reported in the Daily Mail this weekend? Will the Minister commit today to reviewing the process, so that Members are told promptly whenever the Government learn that their personal information is compromised, particularly when it is done by a hostile foreign power? Recent reports have revealed what the Financial Times has described as a “chronic shortage of China expertise” in the British state, both in the FCDO and in MI6. Meanwhile, the US has built a dedicated China office. Will the Minister set out a plan to rebuild our China expertise urgently, and will he consider adding China to the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme, as the Joint Committee on Human Rights has recommended?
Answer
I am grateful to the hon. Member, as I always am, although I am slightly perplexed that he has sought to get me to do things that he knows I am not able to do from this Dispatch Box. I always listen very carefully to what he has to say, not least because of the constituency he represents and the extraordinarily important work that his constituents do on behalf of the nation. It is because I value their work, their contribution and their important commitment to our national security that I am not going to take any risks in relation to prejudicing activities that are under way. His constituents will understand that, and I hope that he does as well. I thought the hon. Member made an important point about ensuring that we do everything we possibly can to protect our democratic processes. I give him an assurance—and I hope you would agree with this assertion, Mr Speaker—that the Government work very closely with Mr Speaker and the parliamentary authorities, the police and intelligence partners to ensure that Members of both Houses receive relevant briefings where that is necessary and appropriate. I completely understand the demand and clamour among Members to know more information earlier than we are able to present it to them. I fully understand the desire for that information, but I hope he will understand that it would not be appropriate for me to get into a commentary, particularly on the Floor of the House, on issues that may lead to the prejudicing of ongoing investigations, not least given the nature of the allegations that have been made. That simply would not be appropriate and I am not going to do it, but I hope Members do understand how seriously the Government and I personally take these issues, and we will work around the clock to make sure that protections are in place so that Members can do their job.7% point-scoring 29% vibes
Verdict: RED (18/100)
The reply gives a reason for not discussing timing, saying it could prejudice ongoing investigations, but it does not give any date for when Ministers or officials first became aware. Its answer on briefing Members is hedged, describing existing practice "where necessary and appropriate" without committing to a review or to prompt notification. It does not address the plan for rebuilding China expertise, and it does not mention the foreign influence registration scheme, its enhanced tier, or the Joint Committee on Human Rights recommendation. A member of the public would likely need to submit a follow-up to get the specific information requested.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| When were Ministers first aware of the information reported in the Daily Mail at the weekend about the compromise of Members' personal information? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The item asks for a specific date of Ministerial awareness, which is not given. The reply declines to comment on the floor because it could prejudice ongoing investigations, which is a stated reason, but it still leaves the timing unanswered. |
| When were officials first aware of the information reported in the Daily Mail at the weekend about the compromise of Members' personal information? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The item asks when officials first became aware, and no date or timing is given. The only relevant content is the refusal to comment on ongoing investigations, which gives a reason but does not answer the question about officials. |
| Will the Minister commit to reviewing the process so that Members are told promptly whenever the Government learn that their personal information has been compromised, particularly where a hostile foreign power is responsible? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply describes existing practice of working with the Speaker and intelligence partners to brief Members 'where necessary and appropriate' and says protections will be put in place. It never commits to reviewing the process or to prompt notification, so the specific commitment asked for is missing. |
| What is the Government's plan for rebuilding the UK's China expertise, in the FCDO and MI6 and across the state, and on what timescale? | Not Addressed | Generic | The reply does not describe any plan for rebuilding China expertise in the FCDO, MI6 or across the state, and gives no timescale. Statement 4 only refers to not prejudicing ongoing activities and valuing staff work. |
| Will the Government consider adding China to the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme, as the Joint Committee on Human Rights has recommended? | Not Addressed | Generic | Nothing in the reply mentions the foreign influence registration scheme, its enhanced tier, China, or the Joint Committee on Human Rights recommendation. |