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Written Question
Information Commission
Friday 18th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the future development of an Information Commission.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been in contact with the Information Commissioner regarding the future development of the Information Commission. They met on 30 July and discussed the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill announced in the King’s Speech, and its implications for the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).


Written Question
Spaceflight: Shetland
Thursday 17th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to visit the SaxaVord Spaceport in 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

A date has still to be arranged, but I intend to visit as soon as possible.


Written Question
Digital Technology: Disadvantaged
Thursday 17th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to continue the inter-ministerial group on tackling digital exclusion.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to question 8498.


Written Question
Quantum Technology: Regulation
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 41 of the Information Commissioner’s Office report on Quantum Technologies published on 9 October 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the conclusions on post-quantum security.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government recognises the need to act to both unlock the opportunities of quantum computing and also address the potential risks of this technology.

DSIT works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to identify the mitigations that are required against the cryptography risks posed by quantum computers.

Following the publication of Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards this summer, NCSC has published details of how it will help organisations plan their migration to PQC. This complements existing cyber security guidance for data security.

NCSC will release further communications over the coming months and continue supporting regulators, such as the Information Commissioner’s Office, to manage these risks within their remits.


Written Question
Digital Technology: Disadvantaged
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to continue the inter-ministerial group on tackling digital exclusion.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Promoting Digital Inclusion is a priority for me and for Government, which is why we believe it was a disgrace that the previous government did not introduce a new digital exclusion strategy for ten years. Digital inclusion is essential to our Missions, particularly in breaking down barriers to opportunity across the UK and kickstarting economic growth by involving more people in the digital economy. Any announcement about inter-ministerial groups will be made in the usual way, but work is ongoing to develop our approach to digital inclusion and ensure coordination across government departments. This will not just involve ministers talking to each other, but effective action to tackle exclusion.


Written Question
European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Contracts
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5708 on European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Finance, whether the contract for construction was advertised.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The contract was procured by the Government Property Agency through a framework (CCS RM6088, Construction Works and Associated Services, Lot 5, Construction Works & Associated Services (£80m+) National Framework) which was itself advertised. As part of this process, contractors on the framework were notified of the opportunity to tender. This approach is in line with The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and usual construction industry practice.


Written Question
Space Technology: Scotland
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had meetings with the UK Space Agency to discuss the growth of Scotland’s space ecosystem.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology is in regular discussion with the UK Space Agency, our key delivery partner, about Scotland's growing space sector as we recognise its crucial role in delivering our national ambitions for space. The UKSA has also opened an office in Scotland which shows its commitment to support the growth of the Scottish space sector.


Written Question
European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Finance
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 5708 on European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts: Finance, what estimate his Department has made of the construction cost of the project.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The contract is subject to an ongoing commercial process, and it would therefore not be appropriate to share construction cost estimates.


Written Question
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Arms Length Bodies
Tuesday 15th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to reduce the number of arm’s-length bodies sponsored by his Department.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Arm’s Length Bodies should operate efficiently and should only exist where necessary. The Department operates a review programme and a number of DSIT's ALBs are subject to review every year. These reviews consider the continuing necessity of the ALB. New ALBs are only established when all other delivery mechanisms have been exhausted and are subject to approval by HM Treasury.


Written Question
ICT: Edinburgh
Monday 14th October 2024

Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the University of Edinburgh following the cancellation of the exascale supercomputer project.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to building compute infrastructure that delivers growth and opportunity for people across the UK. My Department and I regularly engage with a range of organisations across the science and research sector, including the University of Edinburgh.