Telecommunications (Security) Bill — House of Commons, 2021-05-25
Topic: Mixed Topics
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 2—Provision of information to the Intelligence and Security Committee— "The Secretary of State must provide the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament as soon as is reasonably practicable with a copy of— (a) any direction or notice (or part thereof) that is withheld from publication by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in accordance with section 105Z11(2) or (3) of the Communications Act 2003; (b) any notification of contravention given by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 105Z18(1) of the Communications Act 2003; (c) any confirmation decision given by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 105Z20(2)(a) of the Communications Act 2003; (d) any reasons for making an urgent enforcement direction that are withheld by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in the accordance with section 105Z22(5) of the Communications Act 2003; and (e) any reasons for confirming or modifying an urgent enforcement direction that are withheld by the Secretary of State in the interests of national security in accordance with section 105Z23(6) of the Communications Act 2003." This new clause would ensure that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament is provided with any information relating to a designated vendor direction, notification of contravention, urgent enforcement action or modifications to an enforcement direction made on grounds of national security. New clause 3—Network diversification— "(1) The Secretary of State must publish an annual report on the impact of progress of the diversification of the telecommunications supply chain on the security of public electronic communication networks and services (2) The report required by subsection (1) must include an assessment of the effect on the security of those networks and services of— (a) progress in network diversification set against the most recent telecommunications diversification strategy presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State; (b) likely changes in ownership or trading position of existing market players; (c) changes to the diversity of the supply chain for network equipment; (d) new areas of market consolidation and diversification risk including the cloud computing sector; (e) progress made in any aspects of the implementation of the diversification strategy not covered by subsection (a); (f) the public funding which is available for diversification (3) The Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament (4) A Minister of the Crown must, not later than two months after the report has been laid before Parliament, make a motion in the House of Commons in relation to the report." This new clause requires the Secretary of State to report on the impact of the Government’s diversification strategy on the security of telecommunication networks and services, and allow for a debate in the House of Commons on the report. Amendment 1, in clause 14, page 21, line 27, at end insert— "(3) The Secretary of State must, in the process of carrying out reviews and drafting subsequent reports, consult the appropriate ministers from the devolved governments."