Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Proposed Chinese Embassy

Thursday 4 December 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • National security is the first duty of the Government and has been a core priority throughout the process regarding the proposed Chinese embassy.
  • The Government have considered the breadth of national security considerations and have publicly outlined necessary security mitigations required to support national security.
  • The Government work closely with allies, particularly Five Eyes partners, to ensure collective national security.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

The planning application for the proposed Chinese embassy near the Tower of London has raised concerns regarding national security and public access to historical sites.

Question

Will the prayers of long-dead medieval monks save us from this hideous mega-embassy, right next to the most totemic building in the United Kingdom, the Tower of London? On 14 January, the then Secretaries of State for the Home Office and the Foreign Office wrote a letter insisting that a condition be made that there should be a wall and public access to the Cistercian medieval monastery on the site. The Chinese, in their arrogant way, are ignoring that. Will the Government stand firm and insist on public access—which, by the way, would be a good way of stopping this awful project?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

National security is the first duty of this Government and has been a core priority throughout the process regarding the proposed Chinese embassy. The Government have considered the breadth of national security considerations and have publicly outlined necessary security mitigations required to support an application. Should the planning decision be approved, the new embassy will replace seven different sites that currently comprise China’s diplomatic estate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on public access

How: National Security Is A Core Priority, Publicly Outlined Necessary Security Mitigations

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns have been raised about the potential presence of data cables beneath Royal Mint Court, a site proposed for the construction of the Chinese embassy.

Question

On Tuesday, my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Nick Timothy) raised with the Foreign Secretary concerns expressed by the United States, Dutch, Swiss and Swedish Governments regarding the reported presence of data cables running beneath Royal Mint Court. I note that the Cabinet Office has since denied the reports to the press. Will the Minister now provide clarity that his colleague at the Foreign Office could not, and give a clear yes or no answer to this House as to whether any such cables run beneath or in the vicinity of the site?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

I reiterate that the Government have considered the breadth of national security considerations. Both the Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary have been clear about this. We work closely with our allies, particularly Five Eyes partners, to ensure collective national security.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific answer on data cables

How: Considered Breadth Of National Security Considerations, Work Closely With Allies

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email