Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department will publish its response to the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 draft designated vendor direction consultation.

Earlier this year DCMS held a targeted consultation with 35 public telecoms providers and Huawei on whether to issue a designation notice to Huawei and a designated vendor direction in respect of Huawei’s goods and services, for reasons of national security.

Many telecoms vendors responded to the consultation, feeding back on specific technical aspects of their networks and timeframes to comply with the draft direction.

Due to the technical and security implications of this consultation, it is right that we have taken time to consider and understand all representations - including those from Huawei.

A number of follow up conversations have taken place to ensure that we fully understand all representations, and any implications that may arise from a decision.

Having received and considered consultation responses, and having held follow up conversations, the Secretary of State is now deciding how to respond, and whether or not to issue a designation notice and designated vendor directions for Huawei.

The outcome of this decision making process will be communicated to all relevant parties once it has been taken.

If a decision is taken to issue a designated vendor direction for Huawei, any requirements and deadlines included in the direction will be proportionate to the aim of protecting national security. Where consultees have raised concerns over deadlines, we are considering their concerns fully.