Chinese Embassy Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Blake Stephenson
Main Page: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)Department Debates - View all Blake Stephenson's debates with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(1 day, 14 hours ago)
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Matthew Pennycook
I note the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, and I appreciate his frustration, but this is ultimately a planning case on which a decision is being made. As I have said repeatedly to hon. Members, all material considerations will be taken into account when reaching a decision on this case.
Blake Stephenson (Mid Bedfordshire) (Con)
London is a critical global financial centre; we all rely on it, as do all of our constituents. Does the Minister recognise the very serious risk that approving this Chinese super-embassy could, as my hon. Friend the shadow Minister said, pave the way for economic war—not just on our country, but on the western world, including by undermining the security of critical data travelling under the site to and from the City of London?
Matthew Pennycook
What I would say to the hon. Gentleman, as I have said to other hon. Members, is that all national security considerations will be taken into account. He can be reassured of that fact.