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UK Telecommunications
14 July 2020
Lead MP
Oliver Dowden
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
BrexitScience & TechnologyBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 46
At a Glance
Oliver Dowden raised concerns about uk telecommunications in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government need to develop world-class, next-generation digital technology through 5G and gigabit-capable fibre networks while ensuring the security and resilience of these infrastructure. The review set out plans to implement one of the toughest regimes in the world for telecoms security. Given recent US sanctions on Huawei, the UK can no longer guarantee the security of future 5G equipment affected by changes in foreign direct product rules. Therefore, operators must not buy any new 5G equipment from Huawei from the end of this year and remove all Huawei equipment by 2027 to ensure network security.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Digital connectivity is crucial in modern life, but the UK must secure its telecoms networks. Recent US sanctions on Huawei have led the Government to advise against new Huawei equipment from the end of 2021 and mandate a full removal by 2027. This decision will delay and increase costs for the roll-out of 5G technology.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Responds to the Labour party's criticism by stating that a bill will be introduced in autumn, outlining security measures and working with other countries. Acknowledges previous reliance on Huawei but emphasises the importance of diversification and security.
Julian Knight
12:50:00
Welcomes the statement's content but questions how to ensure future-proofing in digital infrastructure, seeking assurances that this decision cannot be reversed by a future government.
John Nicolson
12:50:00
Critiques the Government for indecision and delay, noting earlier warnings against trusting Huawei. Asks how the Prime Minister's view changed from January to July and seeks details on protecting 999 emergency services network.
Clark raises concerns about reliance on just two companies for mobile telecommunication equipment, questioning whether the UK can develop new supply chain capacity within this Parliament.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Huq criticises previous government decisions regarding China, suggesting inconsistency in dealing with Huawei and export controls. She questions why telecommunications spyware can be exported to certain countries despite national security concerns.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Ghani expresses concern over human rights abuses against the Uyghur in Xinjiang province and asks about incentives for domestic telecoms equipment supply capabilities to ensure home-grown alternatives.
McCabe questions why it is safe for Chinese tech companies, such as Huawei, to participate in nuclear power station construction while being banned from telecommunications infrastructure due to national security concerns.
Mangnall welcomes the government's decision and urges for a review of human rights violations linked to Huawei. He asks if the 2027 date can be brought forward.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Cooper supports the decision on grounds of national security, human rights, and industrial strategy. She queries whether government investment in open RAN is a viable solution to mitigate risks from relying on just two vendors.
Drummond welcomes the statement and seeks commitment for further financial support for research and development to enable UK telecommunications industry growth.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Flynn inquires about when 5G will be completed across the UK, noting potential delays due to the ban on Huawei's equipment.
Jones discusses recent aggressive Chinese posture against Australia and India, urging Oliver Dowden to confirm if threats from China support the decision made today regarding national security interests.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Gwynne questions about measures being taken to avoid increasing digital divide due to removal of Huawei from 5G infrastructure. He also asks about conversations with local authorities regarding planned infrastructure work.
Theresa Villiers
Con
UK
Asked the Secretary of State to assure the House that everything possible is being done to mitigate and manage the risk resulting from Huawei’s continued involvement in UK telecoms infrastructure.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Stated that measures have been put in place to cap and exclude risks associated with Huawei, aiming for zero presence by 2027. Emphasised the importance of working on security risks through GCHQ's Huawei Evaluation Centre.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Inquired about the D10 alliance, questioning if it has been established and whether there is unity in purpose among its members regarding the decision on Huawei.
John Redwood
Con
UK
Asked what measures the Government could take to promote domestic manufacturing of mobile telephony components, which could potentially lead to job creation and technological advancement.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Critiqued the Government's strategy on mobile telephony as ineffective and predicted. Called for a more definitive timeline towards Huawei's removal from networks by 2027.
Tobias Ellwood
Con
UK
Welcomed the announcement while cautioning that repercussions might follow from China and urged for a broader strategic foreign policy reset in response to Chinese ambitions.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Expressed concerns about signal blackouts due to the rapid removal of Huawei equipment, seeking assurances that this would not affect network infrastructure adversely.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Complimented the Government's willingness to take tough decisions based on national interests. Suggested the action sends a clear message about trust in future relations with China.
Peter Grant
Ind
UK
Characterised the decision as a humiliating U-turn, questioning the economic and financial damage caused by not taking timely action against Huawei's presence.
Mark Fletcher
Con
UK
Asked about the impact of this decision on rural network improvement plans in Derbyshire and elsewhere.
Warrington North
Inquired into how much of the additional money spent would go to UK companies and how many jobs would be created, especially across regions like Warrington.
Richard Graham
Con
UK
Suggested that while this decision was a balancing act between security, economics, and geopolitics, it is important for Britain to maintain working relationships with China where beneficial.
Patrick Grady
SNP
West Dunbartonshire
Asked about the consequences of breaching manifesto promises to roll out 5G and inquired about discussions with Scotland regarding these decisions.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Discussed ongoing conversations with devolved nations, highlighted the success of the shared rural network deal which improved connectivity to over 90% coverage in Scotland. Emphasised the importance of security implications and bringing forward a telecoms security Bill.
Aaron Bell
Con
Saffron Walden
Welcomed the statement and urged for serious consideration of the Staffordshire proposal for a 5G connected region growth deal, which would establish both a regional commercial network and a wide-area test- and-innovation network.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Asked why decisive action against Huawei had taken so long despite being considered high-risk by three Prime Ministers. Inquired about security implications of manufacturing parts in China.
Duncan Baker
Con
Orpington
Welcomed the Government's decision to put national security ahead of profit and asked for reassurance on rolling out a 5G network with credible, trustworthy partners. Noted that future technology would involve more software than hardware.
Arfon
Asked if the Government was to blame for reliance on too few vendors globally and in the UK just half a year ago.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
Inquired about guarantees that other western countries would align with Britain's decision, ensuring Huawei’s influence is completely removed from networks.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
Pointed out the contradiction between previous announcements and current U-turn on Huawei’s role in 5G. Inquired about mitigating risks posed by Huawei's presence in EE’s 4G core network.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Noted that US sanctions had changed the landscape, agreed on ensuring overall network security rather than focusing solely on Huawei. Suggested a telecoms security Bill to address vulnerabilities.
Geraint Davies
Labour Co-op
Croydon Central
Highlighted human rights issues related to Huawei's contracts in China and questioned the absence of due diligence on these matters.
Mark Logan
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Asked about consistency as a long-term reliable partner and its impact on Britain’s place globally post-Brexit, questioned the message sent by this change in policy.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Welcomed eradication of Huawei from 5G but suggested quicker execution. Questioned contradictions between allowing Huawei to continue in 4G/3G while being banned from 5G, and raised issues with Huawei's compliance under the Modern Slavery Act.
Damian Collins
Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
Welcomed the statement but noted existing cyber security risks highlighted in the report of the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre Oversight Board, asked how these would be addressed before 2027.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
The Minister emphasised the Government's approach to addressing security concerns in telecoms networks. He stated that they will ban procurement from Huawei from January and further restrict by 2027, shifting responsibility from network operators to the government through new legislation. The telecoms security Bill would address security issues more directly than previous measures.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
The Member questioned whether the issue was with Huawei's hardware or software, suggesting that open-source software could be mandated in 5G networks as an alternative to proprietary software, highlighting transparency and security concerns.
He raised doubts about the difficulty of replacing telecoms equipment, asking if technical consultations would distinguish between tasks industry representatives prefer not to do and those genuinely impossible. He suggested pushing for clarity on this issue.
Welcoming the decision but cautioning against myopia, he questioned whether Huawei's influence in other critical infrastructure sectors like academia would be addressed through a broader strategy beyond telecoms security measures.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Adding his voice to welcome the decision for national security reasons, he sought assurances that the shared rural network project could be expedited given its importance to many constituents in rural areas lacking reliable mobile signals.
He criticised the government's approach as being under US influence and noted previous government silence on human rights issues. He questioned if Huawei would remain banned should the US change stance and challenged the Minister to address broader risks like components from China used by other vendors.
Welcoming much of what the minister said, he expressed concern over a seven-year timetable for removing Huawei, suggesting that high-risk vendors should not be in critical national infrastructure due to various reasons including economic, security and geopolitical factors.
Government Response
Responded to various concerns by affirming the Government's measures to manage risks and timelines, promoting domestic opportunities through open RAN technology. Acknowledged the distinction between working commercially with China and confronting it on human rights issues. Responded to questions about ongoing conversations with devolved nations, progress on shared rural network deals in Scotland, security implications of supply chains, the necessity of a telecoms security Bill, international cooperation against Huawei influence, existing contracts and human rights issues, strategic consistency post-Brexit, distinctions between 4G/3G and 5G networks concerning Huawei's role, and addressing existing cyber-security risks. The Minister responded to several Members, emphasising the need for a balanced approach towards removing Huawei from networks. He highlighted measures like new legislation to toughen network security and acknowledged concerns about speed but argued that a 2027 deadline would allow removal by law before next election.
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