Undersea Cables Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
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Undersea Cables
Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston Excerpts(2 days, 1 hour ago)
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Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)
The cables provide the connections that we need for all purposes across telecommunications.
Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (CB)
My Lords, may I tempt the Minister again to stray a little from his brief and to return to naval support? At the moment, RFA “Proteus” is the only ship that protects our undersea cable structure. Is his department making representations to the strategic defence review to ensure that a second vessel is purchased?
Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)
There are two vessels. The “Sovereign” is the repair vessel I referred to, which the cable companies pay for and is on standby 24/7 to repair the cables. “Proteus” has a different purpose; it is an MoD vessel that can take account of all underwater structures. It is not a DSIT vessel but an MoD vessel with broad responsibilities.