24 Apr 20. Defence Committee to question cyber security experts on 5G and Huawei in the UK. The Defence Committee will be taking oral evidence from cyber security experts on Tuesday about the risks to the UK’s 5G network and Huawei’s involvement in telecommunications infrastructure. The Committee will be using this session to explore the technical risks of the Government’s decision to allow Huawei a presence of up to 35% and discuss the UK telecoms market. The Committee will likely question the witnesses on the risks to the UK’s 5G infrastructure and how best these can be mitigated. Members will also ask about the role of the government in 5G cyber security, as well as the feasibility of excluding Huawei technology from the most sensitive parts of the UK’s 5G network.
Witnesses:
- Emily Taylor, CEO, Oxford Information Labs
- André Pienaar, Managing Partner, C5 Capital
17 Apr 20. Defence Committee to question Secretary of State on Coronavirus, the Integrated Review and historical allegations. The Defence Committee will be taking oral evidence from the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP, this coming Wednesday. The session will cover the MoD and Armed Forces response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Integrated Review, the Defence Industrial Strategy and historic allegations. In addition to the Secretary of State, the Committee will also be questioning the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, the MoD Covid-19 lead and the Chief of Defence People. This session will provide the opportunity for Committee members to question both the Secretary of State and the MoD leaders on their role in mitigating the Covid-19 crisis and the wider security threats that may emerge as a result of the pandemic.
The Committee will also question the Minister and MoD leaders on the renewed timeline of the integrated review, and how the department will be assessing risks and identifying new opportunities.
Members are also likely to take evidence on other issues, such as the security of 5G, the UK Defence and Security Industrial Strategy and Historic allegations.
Witnesses:
- Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence
- Air Marshal Richard Knighton CB, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Financial and Military Capability), MoD
- Dominic Wilson, Covid-19 lead, MoD
- Lieutenant General James Swift OBE, Chief of Defence People, MoD
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Preet Kaur Gill
(Birmingham, Edgbaston)
Asked on: 25 March 2020
Department for International Development
Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review
35012
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on postponing the Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
A
Answered by: Wendy Morton
Answered on: 21 April 2020
The Prime Minister has directed that work on the Integrated Review should now be formally paused across Whitehall. This is due to the pressing need to focus on COVID-19, which will, of course, have significant international implications. We will provide an update on timing once it is clearer how and when we will be able to resume full work on the Review.
Q
Asked by Baroness Tonge
Asked on: 24 March 2020
Department of Health and Social Care
Ventilators: Manufacturing Industries
HL2897
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with arms manufacturers about utilising such manufacturers’ ability to produce ventilators for the NHS.
A
Answered by: Lord Bethell
Answered on: 23 April 2020
Work preparing the National Health Service has been ongoing and we have already doubled ventilator capacity. New and existing suppliers are being asked to build as many as they can. The Prime Minister has issued a call to United Kingdom industry to produce additional ventilators and the Department asked appropriate potential manufacturers on Friday 13 March to come forward with proposals for ramping up the production of existing designs or new ventilation machines. Nearly 4,000 companies have responded, including defence contractors.
Around a dozen potential prototypes have now been presented to the Department which we are currently pursuing.