Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Beamish Excerpts
Monday 26th June 2023

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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I am delighted that NATO will host its new Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure in the UK. The centre is part of NATO’s long-term plan to better secure our undersea infrastructure. Bringing together allies and industry, the centre will result in greater situational awareness and sharing of intelligence, expertise and innovation. It will also complement the latest Royal Navy ship, RFA Proteus, whose job is to go out and monitor critical supply lines and cyber cables.

Lord Beamish Portrait Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab)
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NATO was created to protect democracy and safeguard the values that underpin it. A year ago, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly passed a resolution, under the presidency of Congressman Gerry Connolly, to create a democracy resilience centre within NATO. I understand that this has been agreed by all nations bar one. I wonder whether at the upcoming summit the Secretary of State can put some effort behind persuading that one member to agree to this initiative.

Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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I think it is best if I write to the right hon. Member about the details of that. I will look at it and am happy to discuss with him what he thinks needs to progress. We will get to the bottom of it.