Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament: Special Report

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Monday 4th November 2019 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I must correct the noble Lord in several respects. The length of time for which this report has been with the Government is not at all unusual. It is one of a number of ISC reports which the Government are currently considering. In this instance, the Government are following the standard process which applies before every publication. A memorandum of understanding with the committee sets out the relationship between it and the Government. This does not include a timetable for the Government to clear such a report for publication and there is no set timeline for a response. Nor is such a deadline set in governing legislation.

Having said all that, I realise that the subject of this report is a matter of particular public interest and have no doubt that noble Lords’ comments will not be lost on those in No. 10.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, will the Minister confirm that MI5, SIS and GCHQ are all willing for the report to be published?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I simply cannot comment on those matters—

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

Why not?

[Earl Howe]

In due course, the Government will release the report for publication, but the processes must be gone through first.