Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2019 to Question 214617 on Cybercrime, for what reason that Answer does not contain information on ministerial discussions with EU counterparts on the UK's continued relationship with the EU on cyber-related matters in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Margot James
The UK and the EU have worked intensively together to get the best deal for businesses and citizens. Discussions with the EU on the UK’s continued relationship on cyber-related matters have been focused on achieving this and that is why the Political Declaration includes a commitment to promote security and stability in cyberspace through increased international cooperation. However, in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the absence of this formal agreement does not affect the fact that it is still in our collective interest to continue to work closely on cyber-related matters and does not prevent a continued close relationship.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2019 to Question 216387 on Commonwealth Games 2022, whether he held discussions with the Prime Minister in advance of the appointment of the Non-Executive Directors roles.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer the Hon member to my response to PQ 216387 on 7th February.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2019 to Question 212673 on Cybercrime: Ministerial Responsibility, what information his Department holds on discussions held by Ministers with their counterparts in the EU on (a) continued cyber relationships and (b) participation in the Cooperation Group in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Margot James
As a result of negotiations between the UK and the EU, the Political Declaration includes a commitment to promote security and stability in cyberspace through increased international cooperation, including participating in certain activities of the Cooperation Group. In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, shared threats to cyber security will remain. The absence of a formal arrangement does therefore not affect our continued commitment to work with our European partners to safeguard our collective security.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2019 to Question 214092 on Telecommunications: National Security, whether the Government's existing comprehensive range of powers to protect national security includes the exclusion of a company supplying UK telecoms critical national infrastructure with equipment on national security grounds.
Answered by Margot James
The security of our Critical National Infrastructure is of paramount importance and Government considers any national risks to telecommunications infrastructure on a case by case basis.
The Government has a range of powers to protect national security, and will take action where appropriate to address any risk arising in the telecoms sector. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on matters of national security.
DCMS is leading a cross-government review of the UK telecoms supply chain. This is considering the appropriate regulatory and policy levers, to ensure the security and resilience of UK telecoms networks and services as well as the quality, availability and long-term cost of telecoms equipment. The review will conclude in Spring 2019 and the terms of reference are available on gov.uk.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2019 to Question 211336 on Commonwealth Games 2022, what discussions he held with the Prime Minister prior to the appointment of Non-Executive Directors to the Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
All shortlisted candidates applied by open competition, were assessed and interviewed against the published criteria as set in the role specification. Appointments were made in line with the process for public appointments and the Governance Code for Public Appointments. As I stated in my previous answer, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is the appointing minister. The Prime Minister was notified about all five successful candidates for the Non-Executive Directors roles by the Secretary of State.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the EU has provided assurances that the UK will continue to be able to participate in the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Margot James
The Political Declaration includes a commitment by both parties, subject to the conclusion of a Union agreement, that the UK will continue to participate in relevant activities of ENISA. This commitment recognises the need to promote security and stability in cyberspace through increased international cooperation. In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK still recognises this need. The EU similarly recognises the importance of international cooperation in the new ‘EU Cybersecurity Act’ where it notes that 'There is a need for closer international cooperation…’ and ‘..to that end, the Agency should support further Union involvement and cooperation with third countries’.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with the Prime Minister on the appointment of Non-Executive Directors to the Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is the appointing minister for the Non-Executive Director appointments to the board of the Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. All candidates applied by open competition, went through the same selection and interview process, and were made on merit in line with the process for public appointments. The 13 board members will work with the Chair to ensure successful delivery of the Commonwealth Games.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to sections 4 and 5 of the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, what assurances he has received that GCHQ will be able to (a) continue to liaise and (b) cooperate with the EU Cyber Coordination Group in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Margot James
The Political Declaration between the United Kingdom and the European Union reaffirms the commitment of both parties to a dialogue around cyber security including the exchange of information on a range of threats, incidents, techniques and best practice. Regarding the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, the Government aims to continue to participate in certain Cooperation Group activities after we leave the EU.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how the proposed UK Cyber Security Council will reduce public sector cyber skills shortages.
Answered by Margot James
As set out in the initial Cyber Security Skills Strategy 2018, creating a new UK Cyber Security Council is one of a number of initiatives that aims to increase cyber security capacity and capability across the whole economy.
Our ambition is for the Council to bring greater coherence to the existing cyber security professional landscape, ultimately helping both those looking for cyber security jobs and those looking to fill cyber security vacancies across the public sector and wider economy.
Asked by: Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on what dates he has held discussions with the National Cyber Security Centre on the role of Huawei in the UK's Critical National Infrastructure.
Answered by Margot James
DCMS Ministers & officials meet regularly with the National Cyber Security Centre on a range of cyber security topics, including in relation to UK telecoms networks and the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre.