Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the growing risk of cyber-attacks on UK's critical national infrastructure.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the risks posed by technological advances in cyber warfare to the UK's critical national infrastructure. The threat of cyber-attack on UK interests is real, witnessed daily from adversary states and hostile actors. The MP seeks specific steps being taken by the government to protect against these threats.
The threat of cyber-attack on UK interests is real, witnessed daily from adversary states and hostile actors. We continually protect our systems and call out activity from Russia, China, and Iran. Our defensive cyber programmes deliver extensive capabilities but integrate offensive cyber-capabilities into military operations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to reduce risks posed by technological advances were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The MP welcomes the National Cyber Force's move to the north-west of England and suggests Lancashire as a potential site.
I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. I particularly welcome the fact that the National Cyber Force will be based in the north-west of England. In saying that, may I urge the Secretary of State to look sympathetically at hosting it in Lancashire? We already have a really strong track record of supporting our armed forces, from the thousands of men and women who sign up from our county to manufacture the Typhoon and, hopefully, the Tempest in the future.
I certainly hear what my hon. Friend says. As another Lancashire MP, I am conscious of the good news which the Prime Minister announced that the force will be based in the north of England. Obviously, we will go through the processes of selecting where it is to be based.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to look sympathetically at Lancashire was not given
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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The MP suggests that the National Cyber Force should be located in Bolton, which has a strong industrial base and ties to both Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Our Prime Minister and Secretary of State are backing the north by developing the National Cyber Force here. Some say that it should be in Manchester, but others say Lancashire. Surely Bolton is the place for it, with a foot in Greater Manchester, but our heart firmly in Lancashire.
It is tempting to ask for Bolton as well as Warrington to be returned to Lancashire following the reforms of the early 1970s. I hear my hon. Friend loud and clear. The strengths of these mill towns is clear. Whether it be Bolton, Wigan, Warrington, Preston, in my constituency, or Chorley, their contribution to Britain's industrial base and the next generation should not be undervalued. I will certainly listen to all the arguments put forward.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to consider Bolton was not given
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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The MP welcomes the weekend's announcement about a full-spectrum approach to cyber capability and seeks confirmation that the integrated review includes strategies for working with industries of all sizes.
I welcome the weekend's announcement that a full-spectrum approach will be taken to the UK's cyber-capability. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the integrated review will include a strategy for working with industry, great and small, so that robust cyber defence can be maintained across our entire economy?
After the Defence Command Paper is announced on Monday, a week today, the defence industrial strategy will be launched the following day. This strategy will indicate investments not only in our traditional industrial base but also in new and future domains such as digital, cyber, space.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation about including strategies for industries of all sizes was not given
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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The MP offers condolences for Sergeant Gavin Hillier's service and raises concerns about the announcement of important government policies in the press instead of Parliament. The MP also questions whether more civil and military planning, training, and exercising is required.
May I, on behalf of the official Opposition, offer my tribute to the service of Sergeant Gavin Hillier and say to his family, friends, and comrades that our condolences are with them? I welcomed the weekend news that the integrated review will commit the UK to full-spectrum cyber. Is not the wider security lesson from cyber and other grey-zone threats that more civil and military planning, training, and exercising is required?
I hear what the right hon. Gentleman says, but I would take issue with it on one thing, and that is about us catching up. Britain actually led the world both in NATO where we were the first to offer cyber-offensive capability.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to increased civil-military planning was not given
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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The MP acknowledges the threat of cyber warfare to critical national infrastructure but questions whether conventional military force should still be maintained.
Does my right hon. Friend accept that while the cyber-threat to critical national infrastructure can paralyse a society that is then subject to attack by more conventional means, we also have to maintain methods and equipment to counter-attack anything involving conventional military force? Is he satisfied that the integrated review, while recognising the role of cyber, also recognises the continuing role of conventional defence?
My right hon. Friend makes a valid point; we absolutely recognise that. The important thing about the Command Paper and the integrated review is learning the lessons of today. When we tackle Daesh, we tackle its cyber-offence and cyber-campaign in tandem with the military campaign.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific recognition of maintaining conventional defense capabilities was not given
Response accuracy