Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on preventing interventions by hostile actors on new (a) AI and (b) data centres.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The National Security & Investment Act 2021 gives the government powers to scrutinise and intervene in business transactions, to protect national security. AI and data infrastructure, which includes data centres, are considered sensitive sectors of the economy where this Act applies in certain circumstances. The Act is administered by the Investment Security Unit in Cabinet Office and the decision maker is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) works with allies to mitigate the risks from AI and maximise its benefits, working with international partners, they have published guidelines for secure AI system development. In September 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) confirmed its intention to introduce the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill that will strengthen the country's cyber defences.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international counterparts to secure the permanence of the current temporary ceasefire in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability, but we have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. The UK will continue to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US, and regional partners to build consensus for a post-conflict Gaza governance and security framework that supports conditions for a permanent and sustainable peace. Our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people - grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with President-Elect Trump on comments made by Elon Musk via social media posts about the UK Government.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary is looking forward to meeting President-elect Trump again at the earliest opportunity. It would be wrong to pre-empt the detail of those conversations. The UK-US relationship is built on a foundation of our deep security, military and intelligence links, as well as our unique cultural and people-to-people ties. And this close relationship between the US and the UK means that where we disagree, we can have frank and open conversations. The Foreign Secretary has said he disagrees with Elon Musk's comments about Security Minister Jess Phillips. No one has done more to protect women and girls.