Commons Chamber
16:44
16:44
Sarah Russell MP (Congleton, Labour)
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Sarah Russell MP (Congleton, Labour)
I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous answer.
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Madam Deputy Speaker. Could my. Right hon. Friend the Minister, please confirm whether there are please confirm whether there are any documents which were previously in the scope of the Humble Address, that have been deemed no longer to that have been deemed no longer to be within its scope due to the application of litigation privilege in respect of the dismissal of Olly
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Robbins? I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I commit to
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Madam Deputy Speaker. Could my. Right hon. Friend the Minister, please confirm whether there are please confirm whether there are any documents which were previously in the scope of the Humble Address, that have been deemed no longer to that have been deemed no longer to be within its scope due to the application of litigation privilege in respect of the dismissal of Olly
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Robbins? I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I commit to
16:44
16:44
Joy Morrissey MP (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
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Joy Morrissey MP (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
but it is our job to hold the government to account. And it was unclear from the minister's first response of what the process will response of what the process will be. If I see yes, if if the I. S c be. If I see yes, if if the I. S c committee members disagree with the government, and will that matter be brought back to the House for brought back to the House for decision, because it is not within the government's. I believe, Madam Deputy Speaker, right to judge and
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mark their own homework. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I refer to my previous answer about standing by the commitment made between the government and the committee. There is an established process for any disagreement through redactions. Hearing.
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mark their own homework. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I refer to my previous answer about standing by the commitment made between the government and the committee. There is an established process for any disagreement through redactions. Hearing.
16:45
16:45
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compromised by materials making their way into the public domain before time. While opposition MPs before time. While opposition MPs seek to rush this process through, can the Chief Secretary confirm can the Chief Secretary confirm that no documents of interest will be put in the public domain until they've been cleared by the Met they've been cleared by the Met Police? And if members opposite want to know how Labour voters are going to vote tomorrow, they just
16:45
16:46
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
for his question because he asks an important. He asks an important question. As has been said before, question. As has been said before, at the heart of this entire scandal are victims of the most heinous crimes who have yet to see any crimes who have yet to see any justice whatsoever, apart from it becoming part of big political debates here in the UK and in other debates here in the UK and in other countries. That is why the government has been absolutely committed to supporting the Metropolitan Police in their criminal investigation.
We continue criminal investigation. We continue to do so, and we wouldn't do anything to undermine that process because the victims have to come first. grateful.
We continue criminal investigation. We continue to do so, and we wouldn't do anything to undermine that process because the victims have to come first. grateful.
16:46
Richard Foord MP (Honiton and Sidmouth, Liberal Democrat)
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Richard Foord MP (Honiton and Sidmouth, Liberal Democrat)
To the Chief Secretary, to the Prime Minister for his statement. Prime Minister for his statement. He said, in line with the process agreed by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, the government will not publish information which undermines or threatens our country's national security or international relations. That sentence is correct, but it implies that this is a government process which the ISC has acceded to, and that's not quite right. Rather, the government proposes redactions and the ISC directs. The redactions be made on the basis that full publication would be prejudicial to national security or international relations.
It matters because we want to maintain trust in the Intelligence and Security Committee of of which I am a member. Does the Chief Secretary accept that the government proposes redactions, the ISC considers them and the ISC directs, which should be made.
It matters because we want to maintain trust in the Intelligence and Security Committee of of which I am a member. Does the Chief Secretary accept that the government proposes redactions, the ISC considers them and the ISC directs, which should be made.
16:47
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman sets out the process that's been agreed between the committee and the government. And, as I've said to other members And, as I've said to other members of the committee that stands. >> Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. There's been a very Deputy Speaker. There's been a very damaging issue, and Pat McFadden should very clearly never have been made ambassador, and I'm pleased that the Prime Minister has rightly apologised. There are, however, lessons to be learned already before the end of this Humble before the end of this Humble Address process.
Can he confirm that his department has already started learning and implementing those lessons? those lessons?
Can he confirm that his department has already started learning and implementing those lessons? those lessons?
16:47
Sean Woodcock MP (Banbury, Labour)
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Sean Woodcock MP (Banbury, Labour)
My hon. Friend is right. There is a whole series of processes that this government inherited as being the status quo. Due process from the previous administration used in the past for other political appointments and direct ministerial appointments. This FAS has shown that those processes needed to be updated, and the government is updated, and the government is working on modernising those rules and will bring forward those reforms to the House in due course.
16:48
16:48
Rt Hon Esther McVey MP (Tatton, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Esther McVey MP (Tatton, Conservative)
You, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> Minister tell the House is there any truth in the claims that the delays in the government adhering to the Humble Address motion is because there are Cabinet Ministers refusing to hand over their mobile phones because of the messages they
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have in them. With a Mandelson and the embarrassment that it will cause them all. Cabinet Ministers have received
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Cabinet Ministers have received instructions from the Cabinet Office about the declaration of the information they hold on either
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have in them. With a Mandelson and the embarrassment that it will cause them all. Cabinet Ministers have received
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Cabinet Ministers have received instructions from the Cabinet Office about the declaration of the information they hold on either
16:48
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
corporate or personal communications channels, and they've all complied with that, with that direction twice. >> Thank you, Madam. >> Deputy Speaker.
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Deputy Speaker. With regard to the. Release of these Mandelson documents, there's genuine concern about what may be redacted and what
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Deputy Speaker. With regard to the. Release of these Mandelson documents, there's genuine concern about what may be redacted and what
16:49
Dr Kieran Mullan MP (Bexhill and Battle, Conservative)
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Dr Kieran Mullan MP (Bexhill and Battle, Conservative)
Redactions are done in line with the policy I've set out previously. >> I have to say politely, the minister's overly sincere butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. It's beginning to wear thin. The way he beginning to wear thin. The way he suggests that this is all a process he's going through. He hasn't put a foot wrong. He's repeatedly failed to answer questions that I put to him with candour around the Mandelson Act, despite the fact this evening we'll be passing a Bill that makes it law for Ministers to answer questions with candour.
So it is beginning to rub off on him. And can I follow up on the questions around mobile phones? Ministers will be asked whether they have any communications left on their personal phones. Are they also being asked to tell you, and are we going to be told if those messages have disappeared because they've got disappearing messages on their phones?
So it is beginning to rub off on him. And can I follow up on the questions around mobile phones? Ministers will be asked whether they have any communications left on their personal phones. Are they also being asked to tell you, and are we going to be told if those messages have disappeared because they've got disappearing messages on their phones?
16:50
Alison Bennett MP (Mid Sussex, Liberal Democrat)
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Alison Bennett MP (Mid Sussex, Liberal Democrat)
Yeah. Do you have. >> Sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the hon. Member is not happy with my performance. I'll try harder in the future. In relation
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to his question, I refer him to my previous answer. Alison Bennett thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What is the department's internal deadline for concluding the. Release of the Mandelson files? And if there is an internal deadline, who's going to
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be held accountable if the department fails to meet it? Yeah. The department is now handed
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The department is now handed over all final documents that it needs to hand over to the Intelligence and Security Committee. And once that process has been able
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to his question, I refer him to my previous answer. Alison Bennett thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What is the department's internal deadline for concluding the. Release of the Mandelson files? And if there is an internal deadline, who's going to
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be held accountable if the department fails to meet it? Yeah. The department is now handed
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The department is now handed over all final documents that it needs to hand over to the Intelligence and Security Committee. And once that process has been able
16:50
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
And once that process has been able to conclude, we will publish the second tranche very shortly after that. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Madam Deputy.
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Madam Deputy. Speaker, the truth of the matter is, is that when the Chief Secretary says that to appoint a Secretary says that to appoint a diplomat process was followed, a professional diplomat would not have been appointed if they had
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Madam Deputy. Speaker, the truth of the matter is, is that when the Chief Secretary says that to appoint a Secretary says that to appoint a diplomat process was followed, a professional diplomat would not have been appointed if they had
16:50
Rt Hon Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP (Wetherby and Easingwold, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP (Wetherby and Easingwold, Conservative)
taken dodgy. Jones tried to flog passports were leaked to the Chinese, leaked to the Russians. So Chinese, leaked to the Russians. So that was not the case. But the. The Humble Address got through this house because it said that all documents would be handed to the documents would be handed to the ISC, because that is the most secure place to go. So, Madam secure place to go. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, it is not with the gift of the government not to hand gift of the government not to hand this over.
That was the view of the House. It's not being done in good faith. Madam Deputy Speaker, when will all of these documents be given to the ISC, which was exactly what this House said should be done? Madam Deputy Speaker, I answered that question in my opening statement. All, all final documents relevant to the ISC processes are being handed over today.
That was the view of the House. It's not being done in good faith. Madam Deputy Speaker, when will all of these documents be given to the ISC, which was exactly what this House said should be done? Madam Deputy Speaker, I answered that question in my opening statement. All, all final documents relevant to the ISC processes are being handed over today.
16:51
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
Listen statement. >> Is very interesting, but we need to remember how we got here in the first place. The Prime Minister is facing allegations that he misled facing allegations that he misled the House about the process by which an individual was appointed, who had well documented associations with a convicted paedophile and a human trafficker. Now, the Chief Secretary said yesterday that the Committee of yesterday that the Committee of Privileges is reserved for the most serious allegations. Does he recognise how that belittles what recognise how that belittles what has been suffered by the victims and survivors?
16:52
16:52
16:52
Paul Holmes MP (Hamble Valley, Conservative)
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Paul Holmes MP (Hamble Valley, Conservative)
>> Box note given to him on the 11th of November from Simon Case. The Prime Minister said he couldn't remember the answer in that box note and in the debate last week, note and in the debate last week, the Minister himself said that redactions are only in black. The decision response on the box note has been left blank. So can I ask the Minister, was there a decision? Why hasn't it been published? And will the Minister now undertake to publish that decision on that request from Simon Case? Because I believe and this House believes that that will be fundamental to see whether the Prime Minister is actually telling the truth or not.
16:53
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
I'm happy to reconfirm, Madam Deputy Speaker, that redactions are Deputy Speaker, that redactions are in black in the documents that are being published in the Humble Address tranches, all documents that the government holds in that the government holds in relation to that period of time have been published in the first tranche. Of course, decisions are communicated, sometimes orally and sometimes in writing. He asked me, I think specifically as well about Simon Case's advice and the process that was followed subsequently to that, and I'll refer the hon.
Gentleman to the letter from the previous Cabinet Secretary, Secretary, which has been published this afternoon, who confirmed to the Prime Minister that due process had been followed.
Gentleman to the letter from the previous Cabinet Secretary, Secretary, which has been published this afternoon, who confirmed to the Prime Minister that due process had been followed.
16:53
Mr Lee Dillon MP (Newbury, Liberal Democrat)
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Mr Lee Dillon MP (Newbury, Liberal Democrat)
Lee Dillon Madam. >> Lee Dillon Madam. >> Deputy Speaker. >> How does the Prime Minister's promise of delivering honesty, integrity and accountability reconcile with the potential blocking of a motion to the Privileges Committee? And if the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister isn't willing to comment about the government's voting intentions tomorrow, will he commit
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to accountability by making sure he votes in favour for it being referred to the privileges? Secretary?
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Secretary? I'm not sure I should declare my voting intention from the despatch box, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I
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to accountability by making sure he votes in favour for it being referred to the privileges? Secretary?
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Secretary? I'm not sure I should declare my voting intention from the despatch box, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I
16:54
16:54
Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)
transparency in the course of dealing with the Humble Address requests and demands. So here's an opportunity to put that to the test. Last Tuesday, I put down a question for written answer by the Prime Minister, and it was accepted and published as such by the table office. To ask the Prime Minister, who first suggested to him that Peter Mandelson should be appointed as ambassador to the United States. Subsequently, it has been transferred to the Cabinet Office for which he has responsibility.
It's due to be answered tomorrow. Will he give the answer to that question tomorrow on time? And substantively.
It's due to be answered tomorrow. Will he give the answer to that question tomorrow on time? And substantively.
16:54
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
The Chief Secretary's responsibilities are just growing and growing. >> Speaker. >> I always make sure I own a parliamentary questions in a timely fashion.
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Jim Shannon. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, can I the Minister I thank the can I the Minister I thank the Minister for stepping Minister a decent and honourable man. However, I have to ask these questions with
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Jim Shannon. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, can I the Minister I thank the can I the Minister I thank the Minister for stepping Minister a decent and honourable man. However, I have to ask these questions with
16:55
Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)
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Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)
phone calls to my office only, only this morning from my Strangford constituents expressing their dismay at governmental cover up whilst my constituents bank account comings and goings are questioned with withdrawals. St Albans been with withdrawals. St Albans been asked what the money is from and for. There is a perception out there. So how can the Minister begin to show that we are all accountable to scrutiny and that there isn't one rule for one and
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there isn't one rule for one and all for the members of the government of the day? Chief Secretary. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The Humble Address is an example of Parliament holding the government to account and government being accountable to Parliament.
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Deputy. Speaker. Could the Chief Secretary. Confirm that responses.
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there isn't one rule for one and all for the members of the government of the day? Chief Secretary. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The Humble Address is an example of Parliament holding the government to account and government being accountable to Parliament.
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Deputy. Speaker. Could the Chief Secretary. Confirm that responses.
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16:56
16:56
16:56
Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)
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Jerome Mayhew MP (Broadland and Fakenham, Conservative)
Glaring omissions of the first >> Glaring omissions of the first release of documentation was the Prime Minister's response to his Prime Minister's response to his box notes about the proposed appointment of Peter Mandelson. The government's now had three months to think about it. Can the Minister set out. Is there any reason why they will not be part of the next release?
16:56
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
All the documents that the government holds in relation to the government holds in relation to the initial appointment and subsequent dismissal have been published in the first tranche, and all subsequent relevant documents will
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be published in the second. Louie French thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. When asked on the 20th of April why there is no the 20th of April why there is no record of his and Peter Mandelson meeting with Palantir in Washington, the Prime Minister said, and I quote, that was a routine meeting. In the course of a visit I was on in the US. Does the Minister agree that this was a routine meeting and that this was a routine meeting and if so, where is the record of the meeting as required by the ministerial.
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be published in the second. Louie French thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. When asked on the 20th of April why there is no the 20th of April why there is no record of his and Peter Mandelson meeting with Palantir in Washington, the Prime Minister said, and I quote, that was a routine meeting. In the course of a visit I was on in the US. Does the Minister agree that this was a routine meeting and that this was a routine meeting and if so, where is the record of the meeting as required by the ministerial.
16:57
Mr Louie French MP (Old Bexley and Sidcup, Conservative)
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Mr Louie French MP (Old Bexley and Sidcup, Conservative)
Code Secretary? was part of a series of visits that he was undertaking. It is, of course, proper that when Ministers have closed door meetings with stakeholders, that those are attended by officials, minuted and reported in the normal way. But when visits are undertaken, they when visits are undertaken, they are managed differently. And I say, Madam Deputy Speaker, this was no secret to anyone. Photos were taken and published on the government social media account.
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16:57
16:58
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
All relevant documents be published in the normal way. published in the normal way. Speaker. >> The Minister has said that 300 documents have been now shared with documents have been now shared with the ISC. So can I ask him how many are left to be processed? And then more importantly, what is the process been to ascertaining a documents relevance and who thinks it's important and who thinks it's less important?
16:58
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
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Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Minister of State (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister) (Bristol North West, Labour)
So the Cabinet Office has now processed all of the documents ready for the second tranche and those final documents in relation those final documents in relation to the Intelligence Committee have now been sent to them, or will be today in relation to who decides whether a document is referred to the Intelligence and Security Committee. It is based on official screening each of those documents and seeing if they engage international relations or national security, and in doing so, warrant a redaction request.
16:58
Points of Order
Rt Hon Stephen Flynn MP (Aberdeen South, Scottish National Party)
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Points of Order
Rt Hon Stephen Flynn MP (Aberdeen South, Scottish National Party)
That is the end. >> Point of order. >> Stephen Flynn Madam Deputy Speaker. In relation to my question, in respect of how the government intends to vote tomorrow, the Minister said that he would not answer because it doesn't pertain to the motion before us. He then to the motion before us. He then used that as a subsequent justification to not answer the questions of numerous members and right hon. Members on these benches. Can I get clarity as to how we are supposed to get an answer from a Minister when they believe themselves not only to be a member of the Cabinet, but also the
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speaker or the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons? No doubt that the. Hon. Member has got his point on
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Hon. Member has got his point on the record. Unfortunately, I am not responsible for the content of the Minister's speeches, let alone the answers. If only we were. But we don't want to continue this debate. But no doubt that point is now on
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speaker or the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons? No doubt that the. Hon. Member has got his point on
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Hon. Member has got his point on the record. Unfortunately, I am not responsible for the content of the Minister's speeches, let alone the answers. If only we were. But we don't want to continue this debate. But no doubt that point is now on
16:59
Points of Order
Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)
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Points of Order
Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)
Troubles Bill over the weekend, the government briefed journalists that it was going to bring forward it was going to bring forward amendments to the bill in order to give reassurance to the members of members of this House that adequate members of this House that adequate protection would be given to veterans. However, this morning no government amendments appear on the government amendments appear on the amendment paper. Is there anything that His Majesty's opposition can
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that His Majesty's opposition can do to require the government to publish those amendments in advance of this afternoon's debate? Yes.
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that His Majesty's opposition can do to require the government to publish those amendments in advance of this afternoon's debate? Yes.
17:00
Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
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Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
The chair has no power to compel the government to produce amendments earlier than the tabling deadline set out in the standing orders. However, the Treasury frontbench will have heard his frontbench will have heard his comments, and I also will note that when we are considering the carry over motion late today, so there is some time he will have a chance to raise this with the Minister then as well, when he's no doubt back in the chamber on the very same issue.
17:00
Points of Order
Paul Holmes MP (Hamble Valley, Conservative)
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Points of Order
Paul Holmes MP (Hamble Valley, Conservative)
On the statement, we just had. >> Point of order. >> Paul Holmes thank you, Madam. >> Deputy Speaker. And I have to admit I'm confused, which is not an unusual thing I say to the Minister. But, Madam Deputy Speaker, I seek your guidance because the Chief Secretary said that documents have been published in the first tranche relating to the box note issued to the Prime Minister on the 11th of November by Simon Case. I asked him whether that had been redacted, and he said to me that redactions are in black.
The Prime Minister's decision box is blank. So I am asking you, Madam Deputy Speaker, because I've asked three times now why is there no response and why has that not been published? And no Minister has answered to me. So my question to you is, where can I go to get an answer?
The Prime Minister's decision box is blank. So I am asking you, Madam Deputy Speaker, because I've asked three times now why is there no response and why has that not been published? And no Minister has answered to me. So my question to you is, where can I go to get an answer?
17:01
Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
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Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, the hon. Member is a very professional member of Parliament. professional member of Parliament. And he will no doubt know which other avenues he can take to get the answer. Unfortunately, I am not the answer. Unfortunately, I am not responsible for the answers that Ministers give here in the chamber, but he will use every opportunity, no doubt, to hold the Minister to account. Point of order John McDonnell.
17:01
Points of Order
Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington, Labour)
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Points of Order
Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington, Labour)
Over a number of weeks. Labour Together and its link with the agency Apco, in which a report the agency Apco, in which a report was prepared by Apco for Labour Together, which smeared journalists, and I called them for an inquiry into Labour. Together, a number of hon. Members then did, subject to access requests to both Labour Together and Apco Labour Together have gone for an extension, so the three month period should be up shortly. But we did. A number of us received a response to that and I raised this in the House.
They were heavily redacted, but it did demonstrate that actually Apco was collecting information on hon. Members of Parliament. Last week, a whistleblower came forward and before the Court of Arbitration at the moment, confirming that Apco had instructed one of the freelance employees involved in the investigations to destroy materials related to the investigation and evidence. Can I request again the Treasury bench to take back to the Prime Minister that we need a full, independent inquiry into the role that Labour Together has played and Apco in particular?
They were heavily redacted, but it did demonstrate that actually Apco was collecting information on hon. Members of Parliament. Last week, a whistleblower came forward and before the Court of Arbitration at the moment, confirming that Apco had instructed one of the freelance employees involved in the investigations to destroy materials related to the investigation and evidence. Can I request again the Treasury bench to take back to the Prime Minister that we need a full, independent inquiry into the role that Labour Together has played and Apco in particular?
17:03
Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
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Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
I thank the right hon. Member for his point of order. The decision on whether or not the government chooses to undertake an inquiry into the subject is not a inquiry into the subject is not a matter for the chair. However, his comments will have been heard by the Treasury front benches and they will take action if they wish to accordingly. Point of order, Sir David. David.
17:03
Points of Order
Rt Hon David Davis MP (Goole and Pocklington, Conservative)
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Points of Order
Rt Hon David Davis MP (Goole and Pocklington, Conservative)
Thank you, Madam. >> Point of order. My last Thursday, my. >> Ipsa provided website. >> Was compromised. Malicious links were inserted. Redirecting users to Southeast Asian gambling websites. I guess it could be worse. We took it down. We took it down. Immediately. It was restored, but then came under sustained distributed denial of service attack traceable to China. In just 24 hours, the site was hit with 142 million requests, consuming nearly 800GB of data. This is not a minor nuisance.
It's a direct interference of the Member of Parliament carrying out her duty. Madam Deputy Speaker, what is the House and the House authorities doing to prevent these kinds of attacks on members websites and help MPs protect themselves against interference by a foreign state?
It's a direct interference of the Member of Parliament carrying out her duty. Madam Deputy Speaker, what is the House and the House authorities doing to prevent these kinds of attacks on members websites and help MPs protect themselves against interference by a foreign state?
17:04
Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
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Ms Nusrat Ghani MP (Sussex Weald, Conservative)
I found the right hon. Member for his point of order and for raising this very serious matter. I do not think it would be do not think it would be appropriate to discuss the details publicly about preventive action and how members are supported to protect themselves against these kinds of cyber threats. If members would like security advice and had to make personal accounts and devices more resilient, they should contact PSE for matters relating to parliamentary counsel. Equipment members should contact PBS through the PBS service desk.
If that is the end of all the points of order, allow the frontbench to shuffle Finish Finish refilling
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their water if you go forward. Presentation of Bill, Mr. Richard Holden. Marriage and Civil Partnerships.
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Marriage and Civil Partnerships. Recognition Bill. Second Reading. What day? Friday the 8th. Of May.
If that is the end of all the points of order, allow the frontbench to shuffle Finish Finish refilling
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their water if you go forward. Presentation of Bill, Mr. Richard Holden. Marriage and Civil Partnerships.
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Marriage and Civil Partnerships. Recognition Bill. Second Reading. What day? Friday the 8th. Of May.
17:05
Presentation of Bill
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Presentation of Bill
>> Of May. >> Friday the 8th of May.
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Presentation of Bill Tim Farron. Water regulation number two. Bill. Second Reading. What day?
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Friday, the 8th. Of May.
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Friday the 8th of May. The clerk will now proceed to the orders of the day. English Devolution and Community
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English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill consideration of Lords message. Now I can confirm that nothing in the Lords message engages
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Presentation of Bill Tim Farron. Water regulation number two. Bill. Second Reading. What day?
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Friday, the 8th. Of May.
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Friday the 8th of May. The clerk will now proceed to the orders of the day. English Devolution and Community
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English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill consideration of Lords message. Now I can confirm that nothing in the Lords message engages
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Consideration of Lords message: Consideration of Lords message to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
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Consideration of Lords message: Consideration of Lords message to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
in the Lords message engages Commons financial privilege. We will begin with the government motion relating Lords amendment two, as set out in the notice paper, as set out in the notice paper, with which it will be convenient to consider all other Lords amendments, government motions and amendments.
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government motions and amendments. I call the Minister to move the motion. Minister. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
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government motions and amendments. I call the Minister to move the motion. Minister. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
17:06
Consideration of Lords message: Consideration of Lords message to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Peckham, Labour )
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Consideration of Lords message: Consideration of Lords message to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Peckham, Labour )
I am grateful once again to have the opportunity to speak on the the opportunity to speak on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill throughout the bill's passage. I am pleased that we have worked constructively to we have worked constructively to ensure the bill is as strong as possible, and we have engaged in good faith with members across the good faith with members across the House and incorporated their feedback. With that, Madam Deputy Speaker, I'll now turn to the Speaker, I'll now turn to the amendments that remain in scope for ping pong.
Lord amendment two seeks to add rural affairs as a distinct area of competence within clause two of the Bill. As I said before, there is no difference in policy intent here. The government's position remains that these matters are already captured within the existing areas of competence. Nevertheless, we recognise the strength of feeling that has been expressed by noble Lords in the other place, and we extend devolution beyond the predominantly urban centres of England. It is right that strategic authorities look to use the powers and funding
Lord amendment two seeks to add rural affairs as a distinct area of competence within clause two of the Bill. As I said before, there is no difference in policy intent here. The government's position remains that these matters are already captured within the existing areas of competence. Nevertheless, we recognise the strength of feeling that has been expressed by noble Lords in the other place, and we extend devolution beyond the predominantly urban centres of England. It is right that strategic authorities look to use the powers and funding
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Consideration of Lords message: Consideration of Lords message to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
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Consideration of Lords message: Consideration of Lords message to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
addition of rural affairs and coastal communities to the list of subjects included within the area subjects included within the area of competence. Hon. Members, Madam Deputy Speaker, will know that the government's objective is for every government's objective is for every part of England to benefit from devolution and there, and that we want this to be fundamentally a bottom up process. So for the benefit of the House, I will repeat the government's commitment not to commence the ministerial powers of direction to establish non mayoral strategic authorities or expand existing strategic authorities without local consent for a period