Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which contracts they have awarded this year under the 'extreme urgency' provision of Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 that do not relate directly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
This information is not held centrally.
Details of central government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord True on 11 August (HL7558), how the reference to the answers by Lord True on 3 August to the Questions for Written Answer by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (HL7209 and HL7179) relates to the question put; and whether they will now answer the question put, namely what assessment they have made of the role of other states in national referendums in the UK in the last 10 years; if they have not made any such assessment, whether they plan to do so; if not, why not; whether they have (1) investigated, and (2) sought evidence on, the incidence of interference in the EU referendum by any hostile state; if not, why not; and what priority they give to any such investigations.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
We have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU Referendum or 2014 Scottish Referendum by any state. The Intelligence and Security Agencies produce and contribute to regular assessments of the threat posed by Hostile State Activity, including potential interference in UK democratic processes. We keep such assessments under review and, where necessary, update them in response to new intelligence. Where new information emerges, the Government will always consider the most appropriate use of any intelligence it develops or receives, including whether it is appropriate to make this public. Given this long standing approach, there are no plans to publish a retrospective assessment on the EU Referendum.
To continue to safeguard against future threats we are bringing forward new legislation to provide the security services and law enforcement agencies with additional tools and powers to disrupt hostile state activity.
The Government's 2019 manifesto states: "we will protect the integrity of our democracy”. As part of this, we will introduce a digital imprints regime and in August 2020 we launched a technical consultation on our proposed regime. These proposals represent a significant step forward and will make UK politics even more transparent.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord True on 11 August (HL7557), how the reference to the answers by Lord True on 3 August to the Questions for Written Answer by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (HL7209 and HL7179) relates to the question put; and whether they will now answer the question put, namely what assessment they have made of the report by Robert Mueller Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election, published in March 2019, in particular the conclusions on Russian interference; whether they plan to conduct a similar inquiry in relation to the conduct of the EU referendum in 2016; if not, why not; and why they have not yet conducted such an inquiry.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
We have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU Referendum or 2014 Scottish Referendum by any state. The Intelligence and Security Agencies produce and contribute to regular assessments of the threat posed by Hostile State Activity, including potential interference in UK democratic processes. We keep such assessments under review and, where necessary, update them in response to new intelligence. Where new information emerges, the Government will always consider the most appropriate use of any intelligence it develops or receives, including whether it is appropriate to make this public. Given this long standing approach, there are no plans to publish a retrospective assessment on the EU Referendum.
To continue to safeguard against future threats we are bringing forward new legislation to provide the security services and law enforcement agencies with additional tools and powers to disrupt hostile state activity.
The Government's 2019 manifesto states: "we will protect the integrity of our democracy”. As part of this, we will introduce a digital imprints regime and in August 2020 we launched a technical consultation on our proposed regime. These proposals represent a significant step forward and will make UK politics even more transparent.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the positive vetting procedures for ministers and special advisers; and whether any such plans will include a review of the impact of attending events abroad where foreign intelligence agents were also in attendance.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
In line with long-standing practice, Her Majesty's ministers are not subject to security vetting. Advice and support is available to ministers on relevant security matters, including when attending events.
All civil servants, including special advisers, are subject to vetting as appropriate. The UK’s vetting regime is undergoing review by the Cabinet Office, which of course includes consideration of the threat posed by foreign intelligence activity.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Robert Mueller Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election, published in March 2019, in particular the conclusions on Russian interference; whether they plan to conduct a similar inquiry in relation to the conduct of the EU referendum in 2016; if not, why not; and why they have not yet conducted such an inquiry.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to PQs HL7209 and HL7179 on 3 August 2020.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of other states in national referendums in the UK in the last 10 years; if they have not made any such assessment, whether they plan to do so; if not, why not; whether they have (1) investigated, and (2) sought evidence on, the incidence of interference in the EU referendum by any hostile state; if not, why not; and what priority they give to any such investigations.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to PQs HL7209 and HL7179 on 3 August 2020.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the members of the Intelligence and Security Committee will be nominated.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
The Intelligence and Security Committee was reconstituted on 14 July 2020.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister and Richard Desmond have ever talked on the telephone or sent messages in any form to each other; and if so, what was the subject of those messages.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on GOV.UK.
Mr Desmond attended an official business reception in Downing Street in September 2019 alongside a wide range of business representatives.
Otherwise, such requested information would not be centrally collated or held. Notwithstanding, as has been previously noted in Parliament, neither the Prime Minister nor No 10 Downing Street has had any contact with Mr Desmond or his representatives in relation to the Westferry planning application or appeal.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the Prime Minister has met Richard Desmond in the last 12 months; where each meeting took place; and what was discussed on each such occasion.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on GOV.UK.
Mr Desmond attended an official business reception in Downing Street in September 2019 alongside a wide range of business representatives.
Otherwise, such requested information would not be centrally collated or held. Notwithstanding, as has been previously noted in Parliament, neither the Prime Minister nor No 10 Downing Street has had any contact with Mr Desmond or his representatives in relation to the Westferry planning application or appeal.
Asked by: Lord Strasburger (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any aide of the Prime Minister has communicated with Richard Desmond or his staff; if so, when; and what was the subject of those communications.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on GOV.UK.
Mr Desmond attended an official business reception in Downing Street in September 2019 alongside a wide range of business representatives.
Otherwise, such requested information would not be centrally collated or held. Notwithstanding, as has been previously noted in Parliament, neither the Prime Minister nor No 10 Downing Street has had any contact with Mr Desmond or his representatives in relation to the Westferry planning application or appeal.