Telecommunications (Security) Bill — New Clause 2 — Provision of Information to the Intelligence and Security Committee — 25 May 2021 at 16:30

The majority of MPs voted not to require the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament to be provided with information on Government directions made to telecommunications companies on national security grounds which has been withheld from publication.

MPs were considering the Telecommunications (Security) Bill^[1][2][3]

The proposed new clause rejected in this vote was titled: Provision of information to the Intelligence and Security Committee and stated:

• The Secretary of State must provide the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament as soon as is reasonably practicable with a copy of—
• (a) any direction or notice (or part thereof) that is withheld from publication by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in accordance with section 105Z11(2) or (3) of the Communications Act 2003;
• (b) any notification of contravention given by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 105Z18(1) of the Communications Act 2003;
• (c) any confirmation decision given by the Secretary of State in accordance with phttps://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/105Z20 section 105Z20(2)(a) of the Communications Act 2003];
• (d) any reasons for making an urgent enforcement direction that are withheld by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in the accordance with section 105Z22(5) of the Communications Act 2003; and
• (e) any reasons for confirming or modifying an urgent enforcement direction that are withheld by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in accordance with section 105Z23(6) of the Communications Act 2003

The rejected amendment was accompanied by the following explanatory statement from its proposer:

• This new clause would ensure that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament is provided with any information relating to a designated vendor direction, notification of contravention, urgent enforcement action or modifications to an enforcement direction made on grounds of national security.

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Telecommunications (Security) Bill, Parliament.uk
• [2] Telecommunications (Security) Bill, as introduced to the House of Commons on 12 May 2021, Parliament.uk
• [3] Explanatory notes to the Telecommunications (Security) Bill, as introduced to the House of Commons on 12 May 2021, Parliament.uk

Debate in Parliament |