Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Resilience

Thursday 4 December 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Hydrographic Office work praised for contribution to maritime security
  • Government concerned about Russian activity in North Sea affecting UK infrastructure
  • Department for Transport investigating security issues with Chinese-manufactured buses

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Defence
Context

The UK Hydrographic Office's role in maritime security is highlighted, including its contributions to the Royal Navy. The questioner mentions the office's location in his constituency and suggests a cross-sector approach involving local universities.

Question

From the first ever charts by Captain Cook to real-time digital mapping, the UK Hydrographic Office enables and keeps our Royal Navy safe at sea—operating quite literally under the radar. Will the Minister pay tribute to the hundreds of people in my constituency who work at the office, and will he support a cross-sector approach to energy cables, telecommunication cables and their security, bringing in the University of Plymouth, University Centre Somerset and the Hydrographic Office in my constituency?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (The Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to the important work of the UK Hydrographic Office and its vital contribution to the UK’s maritime security. The Cabinet Office plays a central role to cohere cross-Government efforts to secure the UK’s undersea infrastructure. Given the growing prominence of this issue, lead Departments are engaging with industry partners, and we will continue this inclusive approach as we support the Royal Navy to take a leading role to secure our undersea infrastructure.

Answered
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Q2 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The Russian spy ship Yantar has been probing UK infrastructure in the North Sea, using high-powered lasers against an RAF plane monitoring its activity. This poses a threat to pilots' lives.

Question

The Russian spy ship Yantar has been probing our infrastructure in the North sea. While doing so, its crew used high-powered lasers against an RAF plane monitoring their activity, threatening the lives of our pilots. What steps are the Government taking to secure our critical strategic infrastructure in the North sea and to ensure clear and serious consequences for Russia when it carries out aggressive and dangerous military activity off our coasts?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (The Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

The hon. Lady and the House will understand that I am limited in what I can say in my response, but I can assure her that Russia is a top national security priority for the Government, and UK law enforcement has recently secured a range of convictions in this area. I will have more to say about this later today.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps regarding the Russian spy ship Yantar were not detailed

How: Limited In What I Can Say

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Q3 Euan Stainbank Lab Falkirk
Transport Foreign Affairs
Context

Chinese manufacturers have gained market share in the UK, with recent investigations into safety risks from Chinese buses. The 10-year bus pipeline is expected imminently.

Question

Considering that Chinese state-subsidised manufacturers have gained a rising market share in the UK over the past few years, that the Department for Transport and the National Cyber Security Centre have recently announced an investigation into kill switches in Chinese buses, and that the 10-year bus pipeline is expected imminently, will the Minister be raising our Government’s concerns about Chinese buses directly with the Chinese Government?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (The Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, not just for his question today, but for the important work that he has done in this particular area, in his constituency and across Scotland. I have listened carefully to what he has had to say this morning, and I would be happy to discuss it with him further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Direct engagement with Chinese government was not confirmed

How: Would Be Happy To Discuss

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