Trevor Phillips then turns to the parliamentary researcher arrested after allegedly spying for China (see post at 8.15).
Mr Chalk says a police investigation is under way and it “could be that independent prosecutors have to look at it”, so he cannot comment in much detail.
But he defends security in parliament, saying a “rigorous approach is taken” in terms of who is given a parliamentary pass.
He says the investigation must “play through”, and he adds: “Whatever lessons need to be learned by the parliamentary authorities I’m sure will be learned.”
Asked if there are weaknesses in the security system that needs addressing, he says: “I don’t think you should rule anything out.”
He adds that Rishi Sunak has been “clear” that China is an “epoch-defining threat”, and he corrects himself to say “challenge”.
He says the police and security services are taking this “seriously”, and says lessons should be learned.
Asked about the view of some of his colleagues that China is a threat to the UK, Mr Chalk says you “can’t wish China away”, noting it is second largest-global economy, and we can’t meet challenges such as climate change without them.
“You have to engage, but we do so with our eyes open,” he says.
Asked if spying has been raised with the Chinese, he could not specifically answer, but he says matters will be raised with them.
But he adds it’s “practical and pragmatic” to engage while insisting on our values.