Speeches by Whittingdale.

“Can I come back to the activity of other actors in the regions that we have been discussing? Lord Evans, I think you talked at the beginning about the creation of gaps, which hostile powers like China and Russia will step in to fill. I wonder if you could give us any examples of that.”

“The Chair mentioned the inquiry that we held into disinformation, where we looked specifically at the activities of Russia and China in a number of these contested countries. I wonder to what extent the reduction of UK activity there has created opportunities for a narrative that Russia and China are only too keen to f…”

“I am just thinking about the international effort. Kate Ferguson, you referred to the impact of the dissolution of the US Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations. Obviously America is the major player. Would the panel like to say anything about how America’s stepping back from activity has affected the areas wh…”

“While I welcome the Government’s belated intention to act in this area, does the Minister agree that there would be no need to wait for legislation if the social media companies actually started to enforce their existing age requirements for participating online? Many children under the age of 13 are able to create acc…”

“(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on the recent deliberate attacks by Russia on civilian infrastructure, including residential apartment buildings and other non-military targets.”

“I thank the Minister for her reply. She will be aware that on Tuesday night, one of the largest aerial attacks so far during this war took place against Kyiv and other cities. It left 22 dead, including two children, and 130 injured. In Dnipro, there was the use of cluster munitions and, indeed, a so-called double-tap …”

“Further to the question from my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis), we have seen in the first tranche the box note that was sent from the Prime Minister’s private office to the Prime Minister setting out the issues and asking whether Peter Mandelson should be appointed, but that piece o…”

“12. What steps his Department is taking to support the hospitality industry.”

“Despite what the Minister says, hospitality businesses in my constituency, and the constituencies of my hon. Friends, are reeling from the impact of higher energy costs, and increased national insurance contributions and business rates. These businesses are making it clear that if there are any further increases, they …”

“Did you express a view as to whether or not developed vetting should take place before an announcement?”

“You will be aware that a number of very senior former civil servants have spoken about how damaging this episode has been for the civil service. As a former very experienced permanent secretary and head of the diplomatic service, what is your assessment of how this has affected the civil service, and in particular the …”

“Do you think the trusting relationship, at present, has broken down?”

“On 4 February, Parliament passed a motion requiring the divulgence of all communications relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson. On 25 March, you reported that your telephone had been stolen. The Metropolitan police have released the transcript of the call you made relating to the theft of your mobile phone. Yo…”

“On 15 December.”

“So until 15 December you had no information that any discussion had taken place, and certainly that a decision had been reached.”

“When you were told that a decision had been reached and it was Peter Mandelson, did you express any concerns about that?”

“I will follow up on one or two of the questions from the Chair. You said that the process had been under way for an internal competition but come the general election it was frozen. Once the new Government had been elected, was the process not then recommenced?”

“The Foreign Office must have been continuing to look at potential candidates to replace Karen Pierce.”

“When were you first told that it was likely to be a political appointment?”

“You say the Prime Minister had been made aware of the risks, but he had not, because the developed vetting had not been carried out, so all that had taken place was the due diligence. Did you ask whether or not developed vetting had taken place?”