Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that mobile network investment through the Shared Rural Network programme prioritises improving connectivity in rural communities; whether he has made an assessment of the potential (a) effectiveness and (b) environmental impact of the Total Not Spot initiative (i) in Scotland's National Parks and wildland areas and (ii) nationally; and whether he plans to review the allocation of resources between (A) addressing partial connectivity in populated rural areas and (B) installing infrastructure in remote, depopulated locations.

The Shared Rural Network is designed to improve connectivity where people live, work, travel and visit. In very rural parts of Scotland, digital connectivity is vital for visitors, emergency services, lone workers and businesses utilising new technology.

To minimise environmental impact, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment will consider a range of factors to strike a balance between improving connectivity and minimising impact on the surrounding landscape. All masts will comply with planning rules for these areas and go through the proper planning process, with local planning authorities responsible for reviewing applications. Achieving a perfect balance between enhanced connectivity and environmental protection will not be easy, but I am keen to see a more sympathetic approach that focuses most on where people really need a secure connection.