New Clause 2 - Provision of information to the Intelligence and Security Committee

Telecommunications (Security) Bill – in the House of Commons at 4:30 pm on 25 May 2021.

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Votes in this debate

  • Division number 13
    A majority of MPs voted not to require the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament to be provided with information on Government directions made to telecommunications companies on national security grounds which has been withheld from publication.

“The Secretary of State must provide the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament as soon as is reasonably practicable with a copy of—

(a) any direction or notice (or part thereof) that is withheld from publication by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in accordance with section 105Z11(2) or (3) of the Communications Act 2003;

(b) any notification of contravention given by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 105Z18(1) of the Communications Act 2003;

(c) any confirmation decision given by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 105Z20(2)(a) of the Communications Act 2003;

(d) any reasons for making an urgent enforcement direction that are withheld by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in the accordance with section 105Z22(5) of the Communications Act 2003; and

(e) any reasons for confirming or modifying an urgent enforcement direction that are withheld by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in accordance with section 105Z23(6) of the Communications Act 2003.”—(Chi Onwurah.)

This new clause would ensure that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament is provided with any information relating to a designated vendor direction, notification of contravention, urgent enforcement action or modifications to an enforcement direction made on grounds of national security.

Brought up, and read the First time.

Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.

Division number 13 Telecommunications (Security) Bill — New Clause 2 — Provision of Information to the Intelligence and Security Committee

A majority of MPs voted not to require the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament to be provided with information on Government directions made to telecommunications companies on national security grounds which has been withheld from publication.

Aye: 263 MPs

No: 364 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Absent: 17 MPs

Absent: A-Z by last name

The House divided: Ayes 263, Noes 363.

Question accordingly negatived.

The list of Members currently certified as eligible for a proxy vote, and of the Members nominated as their proxy, is published at the end of today’s debates.