All 3 Debates between Bob Seely and Heather Wheeler

Foreign Lobbying

Debate between Bob Seely and Heather Wheeler
Wednesday 25th May 2022

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Heather Wheeler Portrait Mrs Wheeler
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My hon. Friend makes an interesting point. One or two nights ago, a meeting about security was held for Members, which led to a very wide-ranging conversation. People have taken his point, and I am sure there will be another meeting. I am grateful for his suggestion.

As part of the National Security Bill, the Government will bring forward a foreign influence registration scheme, which will require individuals to register certain arrangements with foreign Governments to deter and disrupt state threats activity in the UK, bringing the UK into line with our allies, such as the USA and Australia, with their FARA and FITSA, as mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight.

Bob Seely Portrait Bob Seely
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It is completely true that, hastened by war, we are now moving in the right direction; two economic crime Bills and the National Security Bill are going to be very positive. However, can the Minister give an indication of whether the Government will have a broad understanding of what constitutes lobbying, or whether they will have a narrow definition that lobbying is done only by “lobbyists”? It is the former, broader understanding of lobbying that would be the biggest help in framing the lobbying elements of the National Security Bill.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bob Seely and Heather Wheeler
Thursday 24th February 2022

(2 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Heather Wheeler Portrait Mrs Wheeler
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Derbyshire is a lot further north than Putney and the daffodils are not out in my garden—we still have snowdrops, which are very pretty, so spring is definitely a moveable feast.

The UK Government are negotiating and discussing terms of reference with the devolved Assemblies, and when we receive their replies, we will absolutely move this forward with Baroness Hallett, who is ready to go. The Prime Minister wants this to start as soon as possible, and it will start by the spring.

Bob Seely Portrait Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) (Con)
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11. If he will make an assessment with the Foreign Secretary of the potential merits of introducing a national strategy council to develop and support a long-term global strategy for the UK.

Australian Bushfires

Debate between Bob Seely and Heather Wheeler
Thursday 9th January 2020

(4 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Heather Wheeler Portrait Mrs Wheeler
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I am afraid that the hon. Lady is asking the wrong person that question.

Bob Seely Portrait Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) (Con)
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It is good to see you back in your place, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The upcoming foreign policy review is important. Can the Minister confirm that climate change will feature in that review? If it is not going to, may I suggest that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office consider it as part of its global review?

Heather Wheeler Portrait Mrs Wheeler
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I thank my hon. Friend—a candidate to be Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee—for that interesting question. As I have tried to stress and am more than happy to say again, climate change is the No. 1 priority for all our embassies across the world, and is part of our plans now and going forward.