Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber Warfare

Monday 15 March 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The threat of cyber-attack on UK interests is real, witnessed daily from adversary states and hostile actors.
  • The National Cyber Force will be based in the north of England, with processes to select the specific location ongoing.
  • The integrated review will include a strategy for working with industry to maintain robust cyber defence across the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Edwards
Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the growing risk of cyber-attacks on UK's critical national infrastructure.

Question

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.

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to reduce risks posed by technological advances were not detailed

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Q2 Antony Higginbotham
Defence
Context

The MP welcomes the National Cyber Force's move to the north-west of England and suggests Lancashire as a potential site.

Question

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.

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to look sympathetically at Lancashire was not given

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Q3 Mark Logan
Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

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.

Question

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.

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to consider Bolton was not given

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Q4 Ruth Edwards
Defence
Context

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.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation about including strategies for industries of all sizes was not given

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Q5 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

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.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to increased civil-military planning was not given

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Q6 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Defence
Context

The MP acknowledges the threat of cyber warfare to critical national infrastructure but questions whether conventional military force should still be maintained.

Question

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?

Answer from Ben Wallace

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific recognition of maintaining conventional defense capabilities was not given

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