Speeches by Whittingdale.

“The Foreign Affairs Committee met the Iranian ambassador twice last week, and he claimed that Iran’s nuclear programme was legal and purely civil, and he said that they want to negotiate. Can the Foreign Secretary say, on the basis of the numerous meetings with the Iranian Foreign Minister that he has reported, whether…”

“Ambassador, in terms of the statement by the director general of the security service that there have been over 20 assassination and abduction plots, you say that the Iranian Government have no responsibility for those. You referred earlier to your support for freedom of the press in terms of the Iranian Broadcasting C…”

“I would just like to follow up from Blair’s question, Ambassador. You will be aware that the British Government have said that Iran represents one of the greatest threats to the security of the United Kingdom and for that reason is the first nation to be placed on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration…”

“Does the Foreign Secretary agree that just as Russia is run by an authoritarian regime that wants to destroy its democratic neighbour Ukraine and has carried out attacks on British soil, so Iran is run by an authoritarian regime that is out to destroy its democratic neighbour and has also carried out attacks on British…”

“T3. Although the Department is providing some extra funds to meet the additional costs of NICs in schools, those with a high number of SEND pupils such as All Saints’ primary in Maldon will still receive less than 50% of the increase. Will the Secretary of State look again at that aspect, which is another disincentive …”

“The Secretary of State will be aware that it was originally proposed to build a third nuclear power station, based on a Chinese design, at Bradwell-on-Sea in my constituency. Is a third station—it will not be Chinese—at Bradwell still a possibility, or could it be allocated an SMR?”

“On what basis are the Government claiming that the Lords amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill engages financial privilege, given that it contains no spending commitments? Will the Government engage with supporters of the amendment in the other place and with the creative industries to find a way forward, rather …”

“Well, the Clerks may have advised—[Interruption.] I merely suggest that it is very unclear. As many in the House of Lords have suggested, it is very unclear how the amendment can engage financial privilege. The amendment use the word “may”, so it does not contain any requirement on the Government to indulge in financia…”

“I accept your ruling, Madam Deputy Speaker; it just looks very strange to see that the amendment “engages financial privilege” when there is no financial requirement in the amendment. I will finish on one further point. I understand the Secretary of State’s keenness to attract investment from tech companies. When we ha…”

“Well, the ministerial foreword to the consultation paper suggests there was uncertainty, and that has consistently been one of the reasons why the Government have said they need to carry out all these consultations. Even if the law is clear, as the Secretary of State suggests—personally, I believe it is clear—the impor…”

“I have to say that I am slightly surprised that no Labour Back Bencher is willing to speak in support of the Government’s position, but it means that I have more time to speak than I had initially thought would be the case. I will not repeat the arguments that we have had in the lengthy debates on these measures that h…”

“On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Secretary of State has spoken for 33 minutes in a debate that is due to last for an hour, and we have yet to hear from the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman. There will not be time to have a proper debate on this matter, which is of great importance to a number of people. W…”

“Mariya, you referenced Russian disinformation affecting America. We are going to Washington in two weeks’ time, and this is certainly an issue we will raise. Do you think that the extraordinary lack of understanding that Mr Witkoff appeared to show when talking about the eastern area of Ukraine and the history was a di…”

“I am John Whittingdale. For a long time I was chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Ukraine—I am currently vice-chair—and I am a proud holder of the Order of Merit of Ukraine.”

“If I may, I will build on what Mariya and Iryna have already said. We are subject to Russian disinformation, as are many countries. You have mentioned Romania and Georgia. Last week, I was in Moldova, where there is a massive Russian disinformation campaign, propagated through Telegram, as you have mentioned. Also, Tik…”

“The Home Secretary may be aware of a visit I made to Iran International just a few weeks ago, during which it expressed its appreciation for the fantastic support it has received from the Metropolitan police and security services. If she has not already done so, will she or the Minister for Security visit Iran Internat…”

“The Minister will be aware of the rising number of cyber-attacks by criminals and by hostile state actors. May I also express my disappointment that she has chosen to try to make party political points on this issue? Instead, can she say whether those responsible are UK-based, such as the DragonForce group or the Scatt…”

“Does the Minister agree that avian influenza remains an existential threat to the poultry industry, and—now that the French have decided to vaccinate their ducks—will he agree to the National Farmers Union request that we introduce the vaccination of seasonal turkeys in order to protect the entire industry?”

“10. What steps his Department is taking to help prevent the spread of avian influenza.”

“I completely agree. I do not doubt the Minister’s sincerity in wanting proper close examination, but this matter is urgent. New clause 2 and the associated measures simply state the law as it currently stands and give rights owners the essential ability to know when their material is being used, so that they can choose…”