Combating Disinformation: Freedom of Expression Debate

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Department: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Combating Disinformation: Freedom of Expression

Lord Pannick Excerpts
Tuesday 13th February 2024

(2 months, 2 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
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Viscount Camrose Portrait Viscount Camrose (Con)
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I do not believe that this unit has been working on the Rwanda Bill.

Lord Pannick Portrait Lord Pannick (CB)
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My Lords, if this unit consists of civil servants and external advisers, why is it impermissible for its work to be supervised by a parliamentary committee composed of privy counsellors?

Viscount Camrose Portrait Viscount Camrose (Con)
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It was set up as an internal part of DSIT. It reports to Ministers and Ministers provide the oversight. I take the point, but it is a national security institution and, as such, the Government have a strong preference for not allowing it openly to share national security information for fear of benefiting those who wish us harm.