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.
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.
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.