Contributions
1,690 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move amendment 16, in clause 15, page 22, line 12, at end insert— “(2A) When considering whether a designated vendor direction is necessary in the interests of national…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Eighth sitting)Will the Minister give way?26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Seventh sitting)I thank the Minister for his reply. I do not question his commitment to ensuring that we have security at the heart of the Bill, and I do not intend to press my amendments to a…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Eighth sitting)No, I said in an earlier contribution that if it were done by the memorandum of understanding, I would be quite happy. I know the Minister is limited in the number of civil…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Eighth sitting)No, Mr McCabe, it was a probing amendment. We debated some important issues around the accountability of Ofcom. Clearly, we are getting to a point where Ofcom has more staff than…26 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Seventh sitting)Yes, but I would ask the Minister’s civil servants to read the Act before they write this stuff for him. The Act refers to “intelligence”. Our remit is not fixed by a Department.…26 Jan 2021HANSARDCouncil Tax: Government’s Proposed IncreaseOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.25 Jan 2021HANSARDCouncil Tax: Government’s Proposed IncreaseIt might be because the Government completely ignore them. Durham County Council has lost 40% of its budget—£232 million—in the past 10 years. Under the proposed council tax…25 Jan 2021HANSARDCouncil Tax: Government’s Proposed IncreaseDurham County Council is not doing—25 Jan 2021HANSARDCouncil Tax: Government’s Proposed IncreaseMost council tax payers think that their council tax pays for all council services, but that is not the case; it is made up of council tax, central Government grant and business…25 Jan 2021HANSARDCouncil Tax: Government’s Proposed IncreaseThe right hon. Member does have a point of order, because what the Minister has just done has inadvertently misled the House—25 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)Is the Minister saying that the code of practice is the standard that providers are expected to meet? Is it the legal bare minimum or do we expect them to do more than what is set…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)A statement is a welcome step forward, but—the Minister can write to me on this; he need not respond to me today—what is its legal weight? Again, I am not wanting to consider the…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)I talked about promotion.21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)I agree with the Minister, in the sense that I think he and the Secretary of State at the DCMS are committed to there being very close working, but as I said, he ain’t gonna last…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)We are romping through the Bill, aren’t we? Two clauses in less than 15 minutes. Again, these amendments are probing. I might sound like a broken record, but my aim with them is…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 6, in clause 3, page 5, line 4, at end insert— “(ia) the National Cyber Security Centre;” This amendment would require the Secretary of State to consult…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)My hon. Friend makes the point precisely: the way in which telecoms have developed in this country has been piecemeal, only developing now into the four main operators. I hope we…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)This is a remarkable day. This morning I was told that my contribution to the debate was inspiring, and now I am being told that I am talking sense—I thank the hon. Gentleman for…21 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)I do not disagree with my hon. Friend. That is why we need to get into the idea of the audit. As I said earlier, we basically need a level playing field for operators; we do not…21 Jan 2021