Telecommunications (Security) Bill

– in a Public Bill Committee at on 14 January 2021.

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[Mr Philip Hollobone in the Chair]

Photo of Philip Hollobone Philip Hollobone Conservative, Kettering 11:30, 14 January 2021

Before we begin, I have a few preliminary announcements. Please switch electronic devices to silent. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings of this Committee. I would also like to remind Members of the need to observe the rules on physical distancing, both in this room and when entering and leaving via the marked entrance and exit doors. It is important that Members find their seats and leave the room promptly in order to avoid delays for other Members and staff.

Today we will first consider the programme motion on the amendment paper. We will then consider a motion to enable the reporting of written evidence for publication, and then a motion to allow us to deliberate in private about our questions, before the oral evidence session. In view of the time available, I hope, but cannot insist, that we take those matters without debate. I call the Minister to move the programme motion standing in his name, which was discussed on Tuesday by the Programming Sub-Committee for this Bill.

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 11.30am on Thursday 14 January) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Thursday 14 January;

(b) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 19 January;

(c) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 21 January;

(d) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 26 January;

(e) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 28 January;

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following table:

Table

Date

Time

Witness

Thursday 14 January

Until no later than 12.30 pm

Three; O2; Vodafone

Thursday 14 January

Until no later than 1.00 pm

British Telecommunications

Thursday 14 January

Until no later than 2.45 pm

Mobile UK; TechUK

Thursday 14 January

Until no later than 3.30 pm

Mavenir; NEC Europe Ltd

Thursday 14 January

Until no later than 4.15 pm

Small Cell Forum; Digital Policy Alliance

Thursday 14 January

Until no later than 4.45 pm

British Standards Institution; Royal United Services Institute

Tuesday 19 January

Until no later than 10.10 am

Webb Search; Oxford Information Labs

Tuesday 19 January

Until no later than 10.45 am

Dr Alexi Drew, the Centre for Science and Security Studies, King’s College London

Tuesday 19 January

Until no later than 11.25 am

The Office of Communications

Tuesday 19 January

Until no later than 2.45 pm

Catapult Compound Semiconductor Applications; Dr Nick Johnson; UtterBerry

Tuesday 19 January

Until no later than 3.30 pm

MWE Media Ltd; Lumenisity; Dr David Cleevely CBE

Tuesday 19 January

Until no later than 4.00 pm

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

(3) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00 pm on Thursday 28 January.—

Photo of Kevan Jones Kevan Jones Labour, North Durham

I have no problem with the programme motion, because it is sensible, but I want to put it on record that it is frankly nonsense for us to come in today and sit in a room to take evidence from virtual witnesses, as we will do next week as well. There is no reason why evidence sittings, particularly, could not happen remotely. I have attended two meetings this week, including a meeting on Tuesday of the Defence Committee, which took evidence from witnesses virtually.

I understand that things are being done in this way at the insistence of the Leader of the House. I think he is hiding behind the usual channels having sorted it out. I want to put it on the record that that is not true and that objections have been raised by the official Opposition, certainly about evidence sittings being done in this way. If we are to travel long distances, as many of those present have, to get here today and next week, that flies in the face of the advice of not only the Government but Public Health England about moving between areas.

I do not know whether, at this late stage, we could at least consider whether next week’s evidence could be taken virtually, because it is a bit ironic that we are sitting in a room here—I accept your rulings about social distancing and so on, Mr Hollobone—and that the evidence that we shall listen to from the witnesses today and next week will be given virtually.

Photo of Philip Hollobone Philip Hollobone Conservative, Kettering

Mr Jones, I note your remarks and know that many others will share your view. As the Chair of the Committee I can operate only under the rules that I have been given by the House.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.—(Matt Warman.)

Photo of Philip Hollobone Philip Hollobone Conservative, Kettering

Copies of written evidence that the Committee receives will be circulated to Members by email and made available here in the Committee Room.

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence is to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted.—(Matt Warman.)

Photo of Philip Hollobone Philip Hollobone Conservative, Kettering

We will now go into private sitting.

The Committee deliberated in private.