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Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Monday, 3 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 July 2023 (named day). It was answered by Tom Tugendhat (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 July 2023 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office: Surveillance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 24 November 2022 on Security Update on Surveillance Equipment, WMS 386, whether they have (a) ceased deployment of visual surveillance systems produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China onto sensitive sites, (b) ensured no such equipment is connected to their departmental core network, (c) considered whether there are sites outside the definition of sensitive sites to which they would wish to extend risk mitigation and (d) put in place any additional controls or taken any further steps.

Answer

On 24 November 2022, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster published a Written Ministerial Statement noting that departments had been instructed to take a series of actions relating to surveillance equipment subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China. The Home Office has been implementing this policy along with other protective security controls.

At Report Stage of the Procurement Bill, the Government committed that, within six months of Royal Assent, the Government will set out the timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment supplied by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of China from sensitive sites. This department will be providing information to the Cabinet Office to support this commitment. It is a longstanding Government policy that specific security arrangements regarding Government estates are withheld on security grounds.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
192159
Session
2022-23
Related items
Security Update on Surveillance Equipment
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Home Office Surveillance
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk