Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with (a) domestic stakeholder organisations and (b) international partners regarding the use of human-specific medical research.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State has not had any meetings specifically on human-specific medical research. However, the Government is committed to reducing the reliance on the use of animals in research and officials in the department meet representatives from relevant stakeholder organisations and businesses, including the RSPCA, Unilever, LUSH and Animal Free Research.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to help support the use of human-specific medical research.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals in this area. We are committed to supporting advances to reduce reliance on the use of animals in research, including stem cell research, cell culture systems, imaging and computer modelling. The UK has a world leading reputation for the delivery of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (3Rs). UK Research and Innovation provides funding for the National Centre for 3Rs (NC3Rs), which works to drive the uptake of 3Rs technologies and ensure that the 3Rs are reflected in policy, practice and regulations.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps she has taken to improve access to (a) ultrafast full fibre and (b) superfast fibre to the cabinet broadband in Lewisham East constituency.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit connectivity as soon as possible. By 2025, the Government is targeting a minimum of 85% gigabit-capable coverage. As per Ofcom’s “Connected Nations” data from May 2023, Lewisham East had 84% gigabit-capable coverage and 99% superfast coverage, as compared to the national average of 74% and 97%, respectively
We have introduced several pro-competition policies to encourage the market to connect urban areas such as Lewisham East. For example, we are removing barriers to rollout and working with Ofcom to promote competition and investment. As a result, there is now a thriving market of over 100 providers investing c.£40 billion rolling out gigabit broadband all over the UK. This approach is the fastest and best value for the taxpayer as it allows us to focus government funding on the areas that would not otherwise be connected.
In order to further improve connectivity in constituencies like Lewisham East, we have published the Digital Connectivity Portal - extensive guidance to help local authorities facilitate broadband deployment. This includes technical information on the application of telecoms legislation, as well as practical examples of best practice (such as the Street Works Toolkit for working in the country’s highways, and wayleave templates for telecoms operators to gain access to public sector land).
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology officials regularly facilitate meetings and workshops between local government and the broadband industry, to build relationships that foster more frictionless deployment. The four sub-regional partnerships across London have been vital in coordinating this work.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2023 to Question 196183 on Public Telephones, what recent discussions she has had with (a) BT and (b) Ofcom on repairs to dilapidated public telephone boxes which have been retained for use.
Answered by John Whittingdale
Ofcom, the UK’s telecommunications regulator, is responsible for the regulation of Public Call Boxes (PCBs). Under the Universal Service Conditions by Ofcom, KCOM and BT are required to ensure the adequate provision, repair and maintenance of Public Call Boxes (‘PCBs’). Ofcom has published this guidance on their website. DSIT does not engage with Ofcom nor BT on issues related to PCBs because it does not fall within the Department’s remit.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with (a) BT and (b) Ofcom on the maintenance of public phone boxes.
Answered by John Whittingdale
I thank the Hon. Member for her question, and would like to refer her to the answer that I gave on 12th September to Questions 196183 and 196184
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that social housing landlords are not unduly burdened by additional maintenance costs to their buildings following the installation of 5G antennas and similar equipment by telecoms firms.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The legal framework underpinning rights to install and maintain digital communications infrastructure on land is contained in the Electronic Communications Code (the Code).
The Code does not give operators unilateral rights to install apparatus on private land. Such rights can only be obtained with the occupier’s agreement, or, in cases where an agreement cannot be reached, by application to the tribunal. The majority of Code agreements are negotiated by mutual consent between operators and occupiers. The recent Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, contains measures which encourage parties to engage in alternative dispute resolution. These measures are designed to make it easier for parties to reach an agreement consensually.
The agreement reached between the parties will typically provide for the payment of consideration, which is the amount the relevant person, who is often the landowner, receives for permitting telecommunications apparatus to be sited on its land. In addition, the parties may agree an additional amount of compensation to cover any loss or damage which the relevant person will incur because of the telecoms apparatus being installed or the operator exercising its rights under the agreement. This could include additional maintenance costs incurred.
This is reflected in the Code by a requirement for the tribunal to make an order in relation to consideration and a discretion given to it to make an order in relation to compensation, if the parties are unable to agree and the tribunal imposes a Code agreement.
Taken together, the provisions on consideration and compensation mean that landowners, including social housing landlords, should receive a fair payment for allowing their land to be used in the rollout of vital digital services.