Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 12 February 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Phil Brickell asked the Secretary of State about progress in holding tech companies accountable for fraud originating on their platforms.
  • David Reed inquired why the UK did not join EU countries in signing an international agreement on AI, despite recent talks on a UK-EU defence and security partnership.
  • The Secretary of State praised the Paris summit on AI and highlighted Britain's commitment to significant AI investment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Payment Systems Regulator found that over half of bank transfer scams in 2023 originated from Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp. There is a need to ensure tech companies are held accountable.

Question

The payment systems regulator has found that more than half of the bank transfer scams recorded in 2023 originated on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp. What progress has the Secretary of State made to ensure that tech companies are held to account for fraud originating from their platforms?

Answer from The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)

My hon. Friend makes a good point, we need to look at that specifically at the Committee stage of the Data (Use and Access) Bill. Perhaps he will sit on the Bill Committee.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific progress or action taken regarding accountability for tech companies.

How: Offered To Involve In Committee Work

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Q2 David Reed Con Exmouth and Exeter East
Defence Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The Prime Minister held talks for a UK-EU defence and security partnership with AI development as a key theme. The UK did not join EU countries in signing the international agreement on AI.

Question

The Prime Minister has just held talks for a UK-EU defence and security partnership, where the development of artificial intelligence was a key theme. However, last night, the UK chose not to join EU countries in signing the international agreement on AI. Will the Secretary of State please explain the dissonance in the Government’s approach?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

First, let me congratulate President Macron on laying on an incredible summit in Paris which brought together Governments, tech companies and investors. Britain’s voice was heard loud and clear, which is why we are delivering such extraordinary investment into this country. The Labour Government signed up to and fully engaged with most of the aspects that were negotiated. In a few areas, we will put Britain’s interests first.

Not addressed: Did not address dissonance in approach; instead highlighted benefits from summit participation.

How: Congratulated On Summit, Highlighted General Engagement

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