April 2023
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the Procurement Bill.
I appreciate the strength of feeling on this issue.
Following a review of security risks, the Government has instructed departments to cease the deployment of surveillance equipment on sensitive sites, where it is produced by companies that are subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China. Further details of this can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement laid last year by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 24 November 2022.
It is for this reason that I believe that this Bill sufficiently addresses your concerns.
More broadly, you may be interested to know that the Procurement Bill contains a robust and comprehensive framework of exclusion grounds, including new grounds on both modern slavery and national security, together with ground-breaking provisions for a centralised debarment list. This will ensure that suppliers and subcontractors which are involved in forced labour, or which pose an unacceptable security risk, are prevented from competing for public contracts.
I hope this has reassured you that the Government is actively reviewing the use of surveillance equipment that is produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China, and is ready to take further steps if necessary.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord MP
Member of Parliament for Woking