Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

AUKUS: Shared Security Priorities

Tuesday 26 October 2021 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include deepening security relationships with Australia and the United States through AUKUS.
  • The Government aims to expand AUKUS partnerships to cover civilian and dual-use technologies.
  • Discussions are underway to deepen security relationships with nations beyond AUKUS members, including India and Japan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con
Defence
Context

The question arises from the trilateral security agreement between Australia, the UK and the US known as AUKUS.

Question

What steps are being taken to establish partnerships based on shared security priorities following the trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK and the United States?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

To protect freedom and democracy around the world, it is vital that we deepen our security relationships with friends and allies. AUKUS represents a long-term commitment to deeper co-operation on future defence capabilities with Australia and the United States, and we want to build on it, including with other partners.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for establishing partnerships are not detailed

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Q2 Ruth Edwards
Foreign Affairs Science & Technology
Context

The question focuses on expanding the partnership to include civilian and dual-use technologies.

Question

Could she set out how the Government intend to expand the scope of partnerships such as AUKUS to cover civilian and dual-use technologies like semiconductor chips and 5G?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My hon. Friend is right; we must ensure that technology standards and advances are shaped by the free world, whether that is the free flow of data, cyber, artificial intelligence, 5G or quantum computing. In India this week I agreed a partnership on future technology, especially on 5G.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on expanding AUKUS scope to cover civilian and dual-use technologies are not provided

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Q3 Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP inquires about deepening security relationships beyond Australia and the US.

Question

Beyond Australia and the United States, can she advise the House of any other nations with which she would like to deepen our security relationship?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Alongside AUKUS and of course NATO we are building partnerships with other allies. I recently hosted the Baltic three to talk about increased co-operation in the area, we have agreed enhanced co-operation with Greece and we are in talks with Japan about future security co-operation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on deepening relationships are not provided

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Q4 Henry Smith Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP asks about security co-operation discussions with the world's largest democracy, India.

Question

What discussions has she had with the world's largest democracy, India, on security co-operation?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

India is a very strong ally of the United Kingdom and we want to work more closely together across a range of security and defence issues. While I was in Mumbai, the UK carrier strike group was stationed off the coast; we have just conducted the UK's largest ever joint exercise with Indian armed forces, and we are now deepening that co-operation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on security co-operation discussions are not provided

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