Speeches by Pennycook.

“I recognise the hon. Gentleman’s long-standing and passionate advocacy for people across the world to be able to practise their faith freely. In relation to the planning applications that are in front of us, all the relevant inquiry information was submitted as part of the independent public inquiry. At the point at wh…”

“I cannot give you a vague number.”

“It is a fair question. We set out the objectives for the taskforce in its terms of reference and they were clear, and they were a number of those: creating environmentally resilient places, contributing to transforming the way that large settlements are delivered, providing housing for strong communities, and so on. Ho…”

“The wording is very clear that it is at least three, and we hope to be able to take forward more if we are able to do so.”

“Hopefully you have that now. It is within the spending envelope from existing sources. To reassure the Committee and follow up again on Mr Forster’s question, it is not the case that because the Chancellor did not announce a new towns funding pot at the Budget there is not money in the Department to take forward the pr…”

“The safety of Hongkongers is of the utmost importance to this Government, and we remain steadfast in our support for the Hong Kong community in the UK. I understand why the hon. Gentleman is asking me, but I cannot comment on a live planning case that is before Planning Ministers in my Department.”

“I note the right hon. Gentleman’s question. For obvious reasons, we do not comment on intelligence matters. I can assure him that national security concerns and all the representations that have been made along those lines will be taken into account as part of the decision-making process. He says that Tower Hamlets doe…”

“The Department is going through a process of business planning, post spending review, of how much RDEL can be allocated to different priorities, of which this is one. We have some final decisions to make on the exact funding pots but we have a sense of the amount of RDEL funding. You are right that it requires RDEL as …”

“I simply do not accept that characterisation of the Government’s approach to China. We have to take a consistent and pragmatic approach, but we recognise that China poses a series of threats. As I have said, no decision has yet been made on this case, and all material planning considerations will be taken into account …”

“What I would say to the hon. Gentleman, as I have said to other hon. Members, is that all national security considerations will be taken into account. He can be reassured of that fact.”

“I am not going to comment on specific considerations that will be taken into account. I have been very clear that we will continue to develop a consistent and pragmatic approach to the People’s Republic of China on economic engagement, and we will not compromise our national security. We have been very clear that China…”

“I note the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, and I appreciate his frustration, but this is ultimately a planning case on which a decision is being made. As I have said repeatedly to hon. Members, all material considerations will be taken into account when reaching a decision on this case.”

“I do not think I could have been any clearer: all national security considerations will be taken into account when making a decision on this case.”

“I simply note that all the points the hon. Gentleman has made could apply to the existing seven diplomatic premises in the UK. When it comes to this site, as I have said, a decision will be made on or before 20 January, and all material considerations will be taken into account. We remain steadfast in our support for t…”

“As per my answer to Mr Forster.”

“Yes, because we have always made clear that in the final analysis we will make decisions on these sites in the national interest. Again, to further refine the Committee’s understanding of what I am doing, I am going to make decisions, as the Minister responsible, for what sites we consult on as proposed sites to be ado…”

“No decision has been made on this case.”

“I am afraid to say to the hon. Gentleman that I cannot provide a running commentary on a live case. All material considerations will be taken into account when making a decision.”

“I simply cannot provide a running commentary on a live case, but I assure all hon. Members that national security is the first duty of Government generally and that all relevant planning considerations will be taken into account when making a decision.”

“Planning Ministers will make a decision taking into account all material planning considerations.”