Speeches by Pennycook.

“As I have said, it was precisely because the Department did not feel that it had all the necessary information to make a decision that we sought that further information via a reference-back letter to parties. As I continue to say, all material considerations will be taken into account when a decision is made.”

“The UK condemns the politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai. No state can bully and persecute the British people for exercising their basic rights. Following the court verdict, the Foreign Office summoned the Chinese ambassador to underline our position in the strongest terms, and we call again for Jimmy Lai’s i…”

“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…”

“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.”

“It is highly governed, I have to say, by what is fair to a local area in terms of this being a distinct delivery route. These are not just otherwise standard large sites, but what will ensure that there is the right balance of incentives that places want to bring them forward.”

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

“The planning process has not been compromised. We will make a planning decision on the basis of the relevant propriety guidance. On the delays, given the detailed nature of the representations provided and the need to give parties sufficient opportunity to respond, we have considered that more time is needed for full c…”

“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 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 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 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.”

“Again, this comes back to the process of refining the scope of the programme. We were very clear that we agree with the taskforce’s recommendation that development corporations are the primary vehicle by which to take forward these sites, but we want to allow scope for other types of vehicle, from your simple joint ven…”

“That is in black and white in the Government’s initial response to the taskforce.”

“Cathy can give some further insight, but at the point that we have gone through the consultation and issue our final report in response to the Government taskforce, all the details about the programme will be known, including how we intend to take forward that interaction between LHN and new towns. I suppose I am shari…”

“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.”

“We have reviewed transnational repression through the defending democracy taskforce; we take it incredibly seriously, and I note the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. I am here on behalf of my Department as the Housing and Planning Minister to make clear what the process is for making a decision on this embassy application.”

“All material considerations will be taken into account, which include matters of national security, but the decision is being taken by my Department, in line with statutory provisions governing planning decisions and published propriety guidance. As I have said, the full reasons for the decision will be set out in the …”

“I recognise my hon. Friend’s frustration and anger on behalf of his constituent. We will not tolerate transnational repression of the kind that he is concerned about. Specifically, the counterfactual here is not that the Chinese do not have an embassy; they have seven diplomatic premises in the UK already. Again, I com…”

“I am reluctant to sit here and pluck a number out of the air. I would like to get to at least 40% on all those sites. It is not that we can discount viability entirely, but again that comes back to looking at the funding we have available, particularly in this Parliament, in the spending review, those grant funding pot…”

“I appreciate why the hon. Gentleman is tempting me on this matter, but as I have made very clear, it would be completely inappropriate for me to comment from this Dispatch Box on national security considerations in respect of this live case. On his specific question of whether China has been given a commitment that per…”