Defence of Undersea Infrastructure 2025-03-24
2025-03-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over threats to UK's critical undersea infrastructure, including interconnectors and cables targeted by Russia and China. Previous attempts to ascertain responsibility for security have been met with non-committal answers.
In January, I asked the Defence Secretary which single Minister is responsible for the security of offshore infrastructure. We know that Russia and China target interconnectors and undersea cables, we know that Russia places listening devices on our wind turbines to monitor submarines, and we know that China controls the tech in the turbines that the Energy Secretary wants to buy. The Defence Secretary could not answer me in January, and neither did the Prime Minister when I asked him earlier this month. When are we going to find out who is actually in charge?
There is no doubt in my mind that the Prime Minister is responsible for the security of this nation, and he delegates different areas to different Departments. That is a completely normal way of dealing with our national security. Let us be absolutely clear: within Defence, we take this seriously and we work with colleagues across Departments to make sure that we are not only securing our infrastructure from a defence perspective, but using our trade routes to make sure that we are protecting and buying the right technology and using our planning system to make sure that, where there is development, it does not impinge on our national security.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for a specific minister responsible for securing undersea infrastructure, but the Minister did not provide this information directly. Instead, he referred to the Prime Minister's responsibility and interdepartmental cooperation without naming a single point of contact.
Working With Colleagues Across Departments
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about threats to subsea fibre-optic cables carrying internet traffic, particularly from Russia and other enemies. The question references NATO infrastructure protection.
The hon. Gentleman is right that 99% of internet traffic is carried on undersea cables. Clearly the Russians and other enemies would seek to disrupt that, so will the Minister look at utilising autonomous minesweepers that could be deployed to protect our undersea cables? In particular, will he commit to looking at introducing them in the Black sea, if there is a truce between Russia and Ukraine, so that those cables are protected as well?
The hon. Gentleman is right that subsea fibre-optic cables carry about 99% of our data—many people believe it is satellites, but it is cables. As a country we are investing in new technologies and I expect that, as we get further towards the time when the defence review is published, he will see the ambition we have as a Government to invest more in autonomous systems, not only to support undersea cable protection, but to deal with the threat of Russian submarines and other capability, and other threats to our nations. We will ensure that we invest in our defence capabilities and in supporting those people who serve as well.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for a specific commitment on autonomous systems, but the Minister provided general information about investments without committing to any particular action or timeline.
Investing In New Technologies
Response accuracy