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 Wednesday, 5 July 2023. It was answered by John Whittingdale (Conservative) on Monday, 10 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Surveillance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, 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: 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: 192166
Session: 2022-23
Related items: Security Update on Surveillance Equipment
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: China Surveillance Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk