Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Shared Rural Network

Wednesday 20 November 2024 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Greg Smith inquired about the steps being taken to accelerate the roll-out of the shared rural network in his constituency, highlighting villages like Cuddington that lack mobile coverage.
  • The Minister expressed a desire to assist Greg Smith and his constituents, committing to work as quickly as possible with industry to activate the shared rural network.
  • Ben Spencer welcomed the recent expansion of 4G to rural areas under the shared rural network project, inquiring about the responsible Secretary of State for the planning approval.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the slow progress of the shared rural network in his constituency.

Question

Whether he is taking steps to accelerate the roll-out of the shared rural network. In my constituency, only 40, 50 and 60 miles away from this House, villages such as Cuddington are still complete mobile notspots. Will the Minister explain how quickly the Government intend to move on activating the shared rural network, to ensure no rural community is left without a reliable mobile signal?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I know about Cuddington, because the hon. Gentleman told me about it yesterday. I know we have said that the desire to please is not part of what Ministers are meant to do, but I do have a desire to please him and his constituents. The Government will work as fast as we can with industry to try to develop 4G in his constituency. I am happy to arrange for a meeting between him and my officials to ensure he has street-by-street analysis of how we can do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or concrete steps not provided, only a general commitment.

How: Desire To Please

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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Business & Trade Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about the slow progress of the shared rural network in his constituency.

Question

In my constituency, only 40, 50 and 60 miles away from this House, villages such as Cuddington are still complete mobile notspots. Will the Minister explain how quickly the Government intend to move on activating the shared rural network, to ensure no rural community is left without a reliable mobile signal?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I know about Cuddington, because the hon. Gentleman told me about it yesterday. I know we have said that the desire to please is not part of what Ministers are meant to do, but I do have a desire to please him and his constituents. The Government will work as fast as we can with industry to try to develop 4G in his constituency. I am happy to arrange for a meeting between him and my officials to ensure he has street-by-street analysis of how we can do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or concrete steps not provided, only a general commitment.

How: Desire To Please

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Q3 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Energy Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is seeking recognition for the Secretary of State responsible for the planning approval and funding of the shared rural network project.

Question

We welcome the recent update on the expansion of 4G to rural areas under the shared rural network project, particularly for businesses and farmers who are under such pressure at the moment, with the recent Treasury announcements. Which Secretary of State should we thank for the planning approval and funding of this vital infrastructure project?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We support developing all the plans set out under the shared rural network and Project Gigabit—those plans were regularly announced by the previous Government, but they never actually put any money into the budget. We are putting our money where our mouth is and we are determined to ensure everybody has proper connectivity.

Not addressed: Did not specify a Secretary of State responsible for funding or planning approval.

How: Blame Previous Government

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