Contributions
1,690 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Sixth sitting)Speaking gives me an opportunity to take my face mask off. I will make a few points about clause 4, which is broadly welcome because it clarifies for operators what their…21 Jan 2021HANSARD National Security and Investment BillI have no doubt that the Minister will aim to recruit the brightest and best. However, what assurance can he give that those individuals will have not only the necessary security…20 Jan 2021HANSARD National Security and Investment BillI start by congratulating the Secretary of State on his appointment; I wish him well in the years to come. I also thank the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and…20 Jan 2021HANSARD National Security and Investment BillThe Minister is wrong when he talks about asking the Secretary of State, because his is not one of the Departments that we overlook, but it is already there that this information…20 Jan 2021HANSARD National Security and Investment Billrose—20 Jan 2021HANSARD National Security and Investment BillI congratulate the hon. Gentleman and his Committee on the excellent report they have produced, but this is about the scrutiny of decisions of mainly private companies and others.…20 Jan 2021HANSARD National Security and Investment BillI supported the Bill on Second Reading and continue to do so, because, of course, in terms of putting on the statute book the protection that we need, it is a vital piece of…20 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q That will be a very difficult judgment to balance. I suggest that you read the 2013 ISC report, which is very informative on this issue and about where the balance went the…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q I do not disagree with you about the balancing act between security and economic development, which will be important. This Bill leaves it with the Secretary of State for…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q Can I just come back on that? I agree with you that GCHQ has difficulty in retaining staff, as you quite rightly say, Dr Drew, when they get to a certain senior level. I think…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q Clearly there is Huawei’s domination in Europe, but what is the strategy when it comes to belt and road? We have seen investments in certain strategic areas such as the ports in…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q So the strategy is about market domination in certain areas? Dr Drew: I would say that is definitely the case. It is market domination primarily for domestic, good use: it is a…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q I am sorry, but I do not accept what you have just said. If you are going to be the guardian of security as a member of the ISC who has STRAP clearance, you are talking about…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q Your responsibilities are quite broad, and this is an expansion for you. You have already talked about recruiting staff for this task. How many of those staff will have to have…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q You said in response to Sara’s question about whether the Secretary of State is the right person to make these decisions that you are not necessarily making the decisions.…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Regarding that co-operation between nations, clearly it has not just been the UK that has responded to the threat from Huawei; we were forced to go down our present track by the…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Fourth sitting)Q It is just a quick one. We are talking a lot about Government, and what Government can do, which is fine. But when it comes to attracting sufficient private sector investment in…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Not to cut across you, but, while I accept all that, if from the operator’s point of view they have just invested a lot of capital in ripping out equipment and putting new…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Regarding the ban on semiconductors, obviously that is worth a lot to the US in terms of exports, mainly to China. Do you see that changing? Also, do you think there is a…19 Jan 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) Bill (Third sitting)Q 82 Thank you both very much for agreeing to come before us this morning. Emily, will you expand on standards issues and how important that will be to how the telecoms sector…19 Jan 2021