Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee regarding its report on China, submitted on 15 May 2023.

Under the terms of the Justice and Security Act 2013 and the Government's Memorandum of Understanding with the Intelligence and Security Committee, the Committee must, before making a report to Parliament, send it to the Prime Minister for the purpose of excluding any matter that would be prejudicial to the continued discharge of the functions of the security and intelligence services. The Secretary of State for Defence has no role in the process.

The Prime Minister has responded to the Committee to confirm that its report on China may be published, and the Committee has announced that it will therefore be laid before Parliament ahead of the House rising for summer recess.

Following publication of the report on China, the Government will consider the Committee's recommendations and conclusions and publish a full response in due course and in the usual manner.