Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential security impact of the proposed Chinese Embassy development on nearby underground communications cables.

National security is the first duty of Government. As set out in a joint letter by the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to the Planning Inspector on 14 January, the Home Office has considered the full breadth of national security issues in relation to the planning application. It would not be appropriate to comment further on specific matters relating to national security.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, in her independent, quasi-judicial role, will make the final decision on the Chinese Embassy planning application in due course.