Written question asked by Blake Stephenson (Conservative) on Friday, 2 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. It was answered by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Monday, 12 January 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Genomics: Data Protection
- Question
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To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2025 to written question 79826, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the national security implications of the creation of a large database of genomic data.
- Answer
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Data is the driving force of modern economies and technology and is strategically important nationally and globally. However, we know this data can be exploited by those seeking to counter United Kingdom interests and we are taking action to secure our data and its supporting infrastructure to support the UK's long-term growth.
The UK has strong safeguards and world-leading investigation and enforcement to ensure that data is collected and handled responsibly and securely. I am engaging with my Cabinet Office colleagues to ensure our protocols adapt as technology develops to protect the UK’s national security.
Secondary information
- Type
- Written question
- Reference
- 101985
- Session
- 2024-26
- Related items
- Subjects
- Data protection National security Ministry of Defence Genomics
- Link
- View this Written question on www.parliament.uk
Librarians' tools
- Timestamp
- 2026-01-12 10:56:30 +0000
- URI
- http://data.parliament.uk/writtenparliamentaryquestion/commons/2024-26/101985
- In Indexing
- http://indexing.parliament.uk/Content/Edit/1?uri=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenparliamentaryquestion/commons/2024-26/101985
- In Solr
- https://search.parliament.uk/claw/solr/?id=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenparliamentaryquestion/commons/2024-26/101985