Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gavin Williamson this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 108 · this parliament
What criteria does the Government use to determine whether a company constitutes a threat to national security and is thus placed under investigation by the Procurement Act 2023.
I refer the Rt Hon Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge to my answer on the 9th of December (PQ96652/3/4).
How does the government assess the risks to UK citizens’ personal data and national security when collaborating with foreign genomics companies, especially in countries with restrictive or divergent data-security regimes.
The UK has one of the most robust data protection regimes in the world, with all organisations required to comply with our legislation to safeguard UK personal data when transferring it overseas. Our data regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office, has powers to take enforcement action and issue hefty fines. Individuals who consider that their data has been misused can also take legal action.The UK Government is committed to harnessing the power of genomics as part of the 10 Year Health Plan, while mitigating potential risks.
What formal guidance, policies, or risk assessments has the UK government issued to UK research institutions, NHS bodies, and private genomics companies regarding the sharing of genomic data with foreign entities.
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given on 10 December to PQ 96655.
Innovation and Technology, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that UK institutions and companies comply with the GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and other relevant national security requirements when sharing genomic data internationally.
The UK has one of the most robust data protection regimes in the world, with all organisations required to comply with our legislation to safeguard UK personal data when transferring it overseas. Failure to do so can result in enforcement action.Our data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, has powers to take enforcement action and issue hefty fines. Individuals who consider that their data has been misused can also take legal action.
Innovation and Technology, in cases where genomic data has been found to have been transferred in violation of UK law or national security standards, what steps has the government taken or plans to take to remediate these breaches.
The UK has one of the most robust data protection regimes in the world, with all organisations required to comply with our legislation to safeguard UK personal data when transferring it overseas. Failure to do so can result in enforcement action.Our data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, has powers to take enforcement action and issue hefty fines. Individuals who consider that their data has been misused can also take legal action.
Innovation and Technology, what reporting, monitoring, or public disclosure requirements exist regarding the transfer of UK citizens’ genomic data to foreign entities, including approvals, audits, or security assessments conducted.
In order to lawfully process special category data, organisations must identify both a lawful basis under Article 6 of the UK GDPR and a separate condition for processing under Article 9, which should be documented. Organisations also need to complete a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) for any type of processing which is likely to be high risk.
Whether any Chinese companies have been debarred under the Procurement Act 2023.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
What formal guidance, policies and risk assessments he has issued to research institutions, NHS bodies and private genomics companies on the sharing of genomic data with foreign entities.
The 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy (BSS) sets out how the country is strengthening resilience to a spectrum of biological threats. As part of the BSS, DSIT is ensuring the UK is a world leader in responsible innovation in engineering biology – working closely with academia and industry to improve shared awareness of security risks, and ensuring any measures to mitigate risks (including those related to genomic data) remain proportionate.All organisations holding health data (including genomics data) must comply with GDPR. To comply with GDPR, DSIT and DHSC require safeguards to be in place when health data is transferred outside the UK, including a risk assessment for countries not recognised as offering an equivalent level of data protection by the UK.On behalf of DSIT, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), have developed the Trusted Research campaign to advise academia on international collaborations, by informing them of the threat and helping them make decisions about research and research partners. NPSA and NCSC have also developed the Secure Innovation campaign to help new start-ups in the emerging and critical technology sectors think carefully about their partners and investment.Alongside this work, DSIT’s Research Collaboration Advice Team offers the research sector tailored advice on managing the risks of international research collaboration. DSIT also engages in a two-way dialogue with policymakers, academia and industry on the responsible use of engineering biology and life sciences, through the Responsible Innovation Advisory Panel.
What criteria he uses to determine whether companies (a) constitute a threat to national security and (b) are placed under investigation under the Procurement Act 2023.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Whether any Chinese companies are under investigation under the Procurement Act 2023.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows the Government to investigate and, where appropriate, add suppliers to a centrally managed debarment list. Addition to the list impacts on a supplier’s eligibility for public contracts. These decisions can be taken on multiple grounds, including national security. The Government does not routinely comment on debarment investigations under the Procurement Act.Any suppliers subject to debarment will be listed on gov.uk.
Whether Varun Chandra has had (a) meetings, (b) correspondence and (c) formal communications with representatives of former clients of Hakluyt & Company since taking up his role as Special Adviser.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct, whether Varun Chandra has declared any financial interests.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Whether (a) specific recusals and (b) mitigation measures have been applied to Varun Chandra in relation to any Government (i) decisions, (ii) policies, and (iii) meetings that may intersect with (A) Hakluyt & Company and (B) its associated investment vehicles.
There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of special advisers' interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
When he plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
A response to the Freedom of Information request (DBT reference: FOI2025/09368) was issued 02 October 2025.
When he plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
The Ministry of Justice answered this request for information on 17 October 2025.
When she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
The FOI referred to was answered on 19 September 2025.
When she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information request dated 13 August 2025 submitted by the Hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge.
The department is dealing with this matter under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. As such, we are seeking necessary clearances and will provide a response as soon as possible.
How many and what proportion of NHS hospital beds are in private rooms.
The information requested is not available.
Whether his Department holds correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers in his Department on the sale of Sempra Commodities.
Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
What information his Department holds on whether Jeffrey Epstein helped set up meetings between his Department and JP Morgan on the sale of Sempra Commodities.
Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.