House of Commons · Urgent Question
09 June 2025 · 24 other contributors
Opened by Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Iain Duncan Smith raised concerns about chinese embassy development 2025-06-09 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm that the US Government's national security concerns regarding the proposed Chinese embassy development at Royal Mint Court have been addressed? Why has the Government denied these concerns until now, despite evidence of cable threats to sensitive infrastructure?
Question
The US Government and Dutch Parliament have raised concerns about sensitive cables under Royal Mint Court. The Chinese embassy application contains nothing about cabling, despite multiple requests to address this issue. Why did the Government deny these concerns until now?
Minister reply
I cannot comment on specific national security issues due to quasi-judicial constraints in the planning process.
Question
When an application comes before the Secretary of State, will national security be a material concern for the Government?
Minister reply
The inspector’s report considers the application against published local, regional and national planning policy, which includes safety and national security as material considerations.
Question
Have MI5 and GCHQ been able to submit their own warnings to the planning inspector? Does the inspector have access to unredacted plans of the embassy, which the Chinese Government have refused to make public?
Minister reply
Planning Ministers cannot comment on specific national security issues in this quasi-judicial process.
Question
How can individuals make representations regarding the risks of sensitive communications being intercepted by the Chinese embassy?
Minister reply
Further representations that raise material planning considerations will be taken into account before a decision is made.
Question
Does the Minister understand that personal security for many constituents, given the increase in transnational repression from Beijing, is also at stake?
Minister reply
The minister stated that he understands the concerns and will stand with and support members of the Hong Kong community. He noted that this issue is distinct from the planning application process.
Question
Does the Minister believe that the Chinese would look at this proposal in the same way as our bureaucratic planning process and does he think something threatening economic security should go through a regular process?
Minister reply
The minister stated that China has a different and less robust system than ours, emphasising his view on China's intentions.
Question
Can the Minister give assurances that if such an embassy is built, everything will be done to protect those from Hong Kong who have made the UK their home?
Minister reply
The minister said he cannot comment on hypotheticals but reiterated that the Government stands with the Hong Kong community.
Question
Has the Chinese embassy been brought up in recent high-level interactions and have any correspondences occurred?
Minister reply
The minister stated that it would not be appropriate to comment on details of talks, but he confirmed that joint representations were made by the Home and Foreign Secretaries to the Planning Inspectorate.
Question
What assessment has been made of the cost implications of this proposed development on policing?
Minister reply
The minister stated that only material planning considerations can be taken into account in determining the case, and he will not commit to rejecting an application that has not yet come to the Department.
Question
If there is a 1% chance of detriment to national security from granting this planning application, would it be better to take a risk management approach and put the embassy elsewhere?
Minister reply
The minister declined to speculate on decisions that have not yet been made.
Question
Has his Department consulted UK and allied intelligence agencies, including the USA, and will a full national security review be conducted before any planning decision is taken?
Minister reply
The minister stated that it would not be appropriate to comment on specific national security issues but confirmed that the inspector’s report includes safety and national security matters.
Question
Has the Home Affairs Committee written to the Metropolitan police for details of concerns about policing at this site, and will these concerns be taken into account?
Minister reply
The minister confirmed that all material planning considerations brought to the inspector’s attention will be considered.
Question
Will this Government essentially be putting our relationship with China ahead of our security relationship with the United States if they allow the decision to go ahead?
Minister reply
The minister stated that such speculation is inappropriate.
Question
Does the Minister believe China will always try to exploit and infiltrate data communication in this country?
Minister reply
The minister stated that widespread cyber-activity or interference in our democracy will not be tolerated.
Question
Will the Minister provide details on what works need to be done before setting up the embassy at the Royal Mail site, and who would pay for them?
Minister reply
The specific details of works required are part of the planning application being assessed by the inspector. I cannot speculate as no case is yet with the Department.
Question
If national security is a material consideration, will it be judged only based on the inspector’s report?
Minister reply
The decision will be made by a planning Minister based on material considerations including the inspector's analysis of the case.
Question
Does the Minister agree with the principle that if there is a risk that a nation state will act nefariously against British interests, the Government should not reward that state?
Minister reply
The Government will always protect national security. The specific case and decision-making process are distinct from this principle.
Question
Does the Minister agree that this country owes a debt to Hongkongers who have fled their homeland due to Chinese interference, considering that the new embassy could enable such interference?
Minister reply
I recognise these concerns. The Government stands with and supports members of the Hong Kong community, as evidenced by recent meetings with Foreign Office officials.
Question
Why would we ever offer a foreign state with known cyber-espionage capabilities easier access to critical infrastructure?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman's assumptions are not recognised by me, given the quasi-judicial nature of the planning process.
Question
Does the Minister believe that a massive embassy will alleviate concerns about Chinese Government reach in Northern Ireland and the UK?
Minister reply
I recognise these concerns, but no decision has been made. The process has been followed diligently for an informed decision when the case arrives at the Department.
Question
Will the Minister commit to having a secure briefing before making any planning decisions, and publish all representations received on the planning application?
Minister reply
Ministers will be vigilant against threats and consider material planning considerations. All representations made to the Planning Inspectorate are publicly available.
Question
Is the planning officer cleared to receive top-secret information?
Minister reply
A planning inspector assesses the case as part of a public inquiry. Commenting on national security matters would not be appropriate.
Question
Why has China not been included in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme ahead of any potential approval for its super-embassy?
Minister reply
The Minister for Asia and the Indo-Pacific indicates that relevant reports are coming forward. Specific national security issues cannot be commented on, but material planning considerations will be taken into account.
Government Response
This Government are committed to the probity of the planning process at all levels. The application referred to was considered under call-in policy; it is subject to a public inquiry and will be determined by Ministers based on material planning considerations, including safety and national security. However, due to quasi-judicial constraints, I cannot comment in detail on specific issues such as cables or representations made during the process.