Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the security and privacy of patient data transmitted through Chinese-made cellular internet of things modules.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Department keeps the security issues associated with internet facing technology/components, including implications for patient data, under close review as part of its overall approach to security, and in line with Government Security Group, National Protective Security Authority and National Cyber Security Centre guidance. The Data Security and Protection Toolkit, which sets the cyber security standard for health and care organisations, sets out expectations regarding organisations using appropriate technical controls, such as encryption, to protect data.
The National Security and Investment Act allows the Government to intervene where foreign direct investment is targeted at innovative companies within the United Kingdom. Where such investment is within critical sectors, it is mandatory to notify the Government and this is subject to thorough assessment by the national security community. The Procurement Bill will also provide powers for the Government to exclude and debar companies from public procurement where the Government assesses there to be an intolerable national security risk.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the (a) prevalence of the use and (b) reliance on the supply of Chinese-made cellular internet of things modules in the NHS.
Answered by Will Quince
The United Kingdom takes its national security extremely seriously and has taken robust action to secure its critical infrastructure and resilience. The National Security and Investment Act allows the Government to intervene where foreign direct investment is targeted at innovative UK companies. Where such investment is within critical sectors, it is mandatory to notify Government, and this is subject to thorough assessment by the national security community. The Procurement Bill will also provide powers for the Government to exclude and debar companies from public procurement where the Government assesses there to be an intolerable national security risk.
Additionally, the Government has taken specific action on Chinese-made devices on the Government estate. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster published a Written Ministerial Statement in November 2022 detailing instructions for Departments to disconnect such surveillance equipment from core Departmental networks, where it had been produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of China. Government Departments have been implementing these policies, along with other protective security controls, and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary.
The Department keeps the security issues associated with internet facing technology and components under close review as part of its overall approach to security, and in line with Government Security Group, National Protective Security Authority and National Cyber Security Centre guidance.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department is taking steps to monitor the potential threat posed by Chinese-made cellular internet of things modules to the NHS.
Answered by Will Quince
The United Kingdom takes its national security extremely seriously and has taken robust action to secure its critical infrastructure and resilience. The National Security and Investment Act allows the Government to intervene where foreign direct investment is targeted at innovative UK companies. Where such investment is within critical sectors, it is mandatory to notify Government, and this is subject to thorough assessment by the national security community. The Procurement Bill will also provide powers for the Government to exclude and debar companies from public procurement where the Government assesses there to be an intolerable national security risk.
Additionally, the Government has taken specific action on Chinese-made devices on the Government estate. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster published a Written Ministerial Statement in November 2022 detailing instructions for Departments to disconnect such surveillance equipment from core Departmental networks, where it had been produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of China. Government Departments have been implementing these policies, along with other protective security controls, and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary.
The Department keeps the security issues associated with internet facing technology and components under close review as part of its overall approach to security, and in line with Government Security Group, National Protective Security Authority and National Cyber Security Centre guidance.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that people affected by the infected blood scandal receive compensation.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Government accepts there is a moral case for compensation. Interim payments were made last year to recognise the urgent need of infected people and bereaved partners enrolled on the existing support schemes.
We are now considering Sir Brian Langstaff’s second interim report. As my Right Hon. Friend, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Jeremy Quin) said on 19 April, we are very focused on responding as soon as possible after the Inquiry concludes this autumn.
This does not preclude earlier announcements as we progress our work.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his timetable is for (a) interim and (b) final payment of compensation to individuals (i) infected and (ii) affected by infected blood.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
The Chair of the Inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, published a first interim report on the subject of interim compensation for victims of infected blood.
In August 2022, the Government accepted the Inquiry recommendation to make interim compensation payments to those infected and bereaved partners currently registered on United Kingdom infected blood support schemes. Payments of £100,000 were made to eligible beneficiaries by the 28 October 2022. The commitment to pay interim compensation meets, in full, the recommendations set out by Sir Brian in his first interim report.
Sir Brian Langstaff published a further interim report on compensation 5 April. Work is underway across Government to consider the second report’s recommendations alongside the timetable for further interim compensation payments. We understand that time is of the essence for the infected and affected community, we are taking this matter seriously and consider it a high priority.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a breakdown of (a) funding and (b) funding that has been allocated but not yet spent for NHS Test and Trace.
Answered by Helen Whately - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Test and Trace was allocated a £22 billion budget for the financial year 2020/21. Actual audited expenditure will be published as part of the Department’s annual accounts.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the rules are on blood donations for men who have sex with men who also use PrEP.
Answered by Jackie Doyle-Price
NHS Blood and Transplant implements a three-month deferral period for men who have sex with men, irrespective of whether an individual routinely takes pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk against infection with HIV. This deferral period is based on expert independent advice, provided by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs, to protect donors and the patients who receive donated blood.
At a population level, men who have sex with men have a higher risk of acquiring a blood-borne virus or a sexually transmitted disease. Using PrEP can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV but it does not eliminate it. PrEP also does not reduce the risk of an individual becoming infected by other sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis and hepatitis, and subsequently transmitting these infections through donated blood.
NHS Blood and Transplant appreciates that any deferral is disappointing if an individual would like to save lives by giving blood. NHS Blood and Transplant is currently working with LGBT+ groups to explore more individualised assessments and hope to report their findings towards the end of 2020.