Contributions
824 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiOn my hon. Friend’s last point, I entirely agree. It is important that we do not just discuss these matters with our partners, but have rather more complex and detailed technical…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiI do not answer for the Australian Government; the hon. Lady would have to ask them. We are all—this applies particularly to Five Eyes partners—wrestling with these complex…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiI recognise my hon. Friend’s considerable interest and expertise in this field. I will say two things to him. First, he is entirely right that Australia has decided to exclude…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiFirst, there is no lack of UK strategy. We have a clear intent to make maximum use of 5G technology. That is important because, as the hon. Gentleman will recognise, in order for…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiI think it is entirely appropriate for the Committee on which my hon. Friend serves to make inquiries as it thinks fit. It is not a matter for me or for the Government to indicate…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiFirst, let me repeat what I said a moment or two ago. A final decision has not been made on this subject, so the hon. Lady is wrong to describe matters in the way that she has.…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiThe security and resilience of the United Kingdom’s telecoms networks is of paramount importance. The UK has one of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies, and we welcome…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiOf course that is important, and the hon. Gentleman will know that colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care are working on this. Whatever use we make of this…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiWe of course recognise that there is a material distinction between Huawei and other suppliers, and that is its potential interconnection with the Chinese state. It is therefore…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiI know that it is tempting for Opposition Members to blame everything on privatisation, but I do not think that is fair in this context. The point about a potential alternative…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiI am grateful to my hon. Friend, whose experience is valuable in this discussion. He is right that we must also consider the competition aspects, not just from an economic point…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiThe hon. Gentleman is, of course, right about those concerns, which are legitimately held. Let me repeat, however—I know that he understands this—that we are not at a standing…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiThe point of the National Security Council is to enable us to discuss matters of national security, and we will continue to need to do that. I suspect that my hon. Friend will…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiOf course we take comments of that kind seriously, but it is important when people reach a judgment on these matters that they are in possession of all the facts, all the evidence…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiThe hon. Gentleman will know from our discussions this morning that these are important conversations with our Five Eyes partners, and they are continuing, as he would expect. I…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiThose are legitimate concerns, and they are the reason why we have to consider companies that are closely connected with, or potentially influenced by, the Chinese state in a…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiThe hon. Lady is right. The importance of the review is that it deals with the need to ensure security is in place for the mobile network, as it is elsewhere. That becomes…25 Apr 2019HANSARD UK Telecoms: HuaweiAs the hon. Gentleman will recognise, that is not a matter for me. What I have said this morning — [ Interruption. ] What I said when I spoke 10 minutes ago was that I cannot rule…25 Apr 2019HANSARDOnline DisinformationThe hon. Lady is right: it is an important area. The Select Committee has done very good work in drawing attention to it. As I made clear on Monday in my statement to the House,…11 Apr 2019HANSARDMusic Education in SchoolsThe hon. Lady is right: it is important that all pupils have this opportunity. She will know that for pupils aged between five and 14, music is a part of the national curriculum.…11 Apr 2019