Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will establish a public inquiry (a) to examine matters relating to campaigning and foreign influence in the EU referendum campaign that are not currently being examined by the police, the National Crime Agency or the Information Commissioner; (b) to consider the consequences of potentially irregular and unlawful conduct during the EU referendum campaign; and (c) to make recommendations for appropriate action.
Answered by Chloe Smith
There are no plans to establish a Public Inquiry on the conduct of the EU referendum. The EU referendum was carried out based on legislation passed by Parliament and almost three quarters of the electorate took part. The EU referendum provisions were carefully scrutinised and ratified by Parliament. In line with the precedent for referendums, there was a six week period in which the formal result and administration of the EU Referendum could be challenged by judicial review. We treat the integrity and security of our democratic processes extremely seriously.
If offences are alleged, it is right that they are investigated thoroughly by the appropriate agencies. That is what is happening at the moment and those agencies and investigations are independent of government.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have died from type two diabetes and related conditions in each of the last ten years.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any unsuccessful attempts have been made by Russia to interfere in the UK's democratic processes in the last three years.
Answered by David Lidington
The Government has said previously that we have not seen evidence of successful foreign
interference in UK elections and we take any allegations of interference in UK democratic
processes by a foreign government extremely seriously. That remains the case. We know
that certain states routinely use disinformation and other means as a foreign policy tool,
and have seen evidence of this happening elsewhere. It should therefore not surprise us
that they might try to influence democratic processes in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Cabinet Office, whether any indirect attempts have been made by Russia to interfere in the UK's democratic processes in each of the last three years.
Answered by David Lidington
The Government has said previously that we have not seen evidence of successful foreign
interference in UK elections and we take any allegations of interference in UK democratic
processes by a foreign government extremely seriously. That remains the case. We know
that certain states routinely use disinformation and other means as a foreign policy tool,
and have seen evidence of this happening elsewhere. It should therefore not surprise us
that they might try to influence democratic processes in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Cabinet Office, whether any indirect attempts have been made by Russia to interfere in the UK's democratic processes in each of the last three years.
Answered by David Lidington
The Government has said previously that we have not seen evidence of successful foreign
interference in UK elections and we take any allegations of interference in UK democratic
processes by a foreign government extremely seriously. That remains the case. We know
that certain states routinely use disinformation and other means as a foreign policy tool,
and have seen evidence of this happening elsewhere. It should therefore not surprise us
that they might try to influence democratic processes in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any unsuccessful attempts have been made by Russia to interfere in the UK's democratic processes in the last three years.
Answered by David Lidington
The Government has said previously that we have not seen evidence of successful foreign
interference in UK elections and we take any allegations of interference in UK democratic
processes by a foreign government extremely seriously. That remains the case. We know
that certain states routinely use disinformation and other means as a foreign policy tool,
and have seen evidence of this happening elsewhere. It should therefore not surprise us
that they might try to influence democratic processes in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer of 18 June to Question 150605, whether any of the people named in the Electoral Commission report, and privy to the initial findings, have informed the Prime Minister of the findings.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government has not received an advance copy of the report, and therefore cannot speak to who is named in it.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister's office has received an advance copy of the Electoral Commission's report into electoral fraud in the Vote Leave campaign; and what information he holds on the publication date of that report.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Electoral Commission is accountable to Parliament, via the Speaker’s Committee, and does not report directly to Ministers.
In that context, the Government has not received advance copy of such a report, and would not normally expect to receive advance reports on its casework decisions.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what resources he has allocated to the new National Security Communications Unit.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
The National Security Capability Review (NSCR) identifies areas where we can do further cross-government work, including as one example on our strategic communications. The NSCR will set out further details when published.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff and at what grades will be employed by the new National Security Communications Unit.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
The National Security Capability Review (NSCR) identifies areas where we can do further cross-government work, including as one example on our strategic communications. The NSCR will set out further details when published.