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1702417

registered interest
date	19/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	WhatsApp: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Meta's decision to lower the minimum age for access to WhatsApp to 13 on children's levels of exposure to extremist content.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	22801
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK’s Online Safety Act will make the UK the safest place to be a child online. The strongest protections in the Online Safety Act are for children. Providers which have age restrictions need to specify in their terms of service what measures they use to prevent underage access and apply these terms consistently The Online Safety Act will require user-to-user and search services to implement robust processes to tackle illegal content and safeguard children on their platforms.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Act, where an in-scope provider makes significant changes to their service, they will be required to update their illegal content and children’s risk assessment. Ofcom will have strong investigatory powers to determine the impact of changes that particular providers make. Where Ofcom finds that a functionality is a risk factor for illegal content or harm to children on particular services, then it is empowered to set out steps providers should take to mitigate this. Ofcom have robust enforcement powers available to use against companies who fail to fulfil their duties, including imposing substantial fines.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti grouped question UIN 22803 question first answered 29/04/2024 16:32:35 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702187

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Media: Disinformation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what support is available to media organisations to (a) detect and (b) counteract foreign disinformation.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	22613
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government takes the issue of information threats to national security seriously, and the UK has a strong record of working closely with a wide range of different stakeholders to tackle these risks.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the invaluable role of a free and independent press in providing accurate and reliable information. Government works to complement the efforts of our independent press sector through a number of initiatives to counter disinformation.</p><p> </p><p>For example, in 2022 the Government provided the BBC World Service with £4.1m emergency funding to help it to continue to bring independent, impartial and accurate news to people in Ukraine and Russia and counter disinformation in the face of increased propaganda from the Russian state. The Government has also directly sanctioned Russia-backed state media organisations who spread disinformation, helping to prevent the most prolific and harmful sources of disinformation from spreading propaganda to UK audiences online.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also recently passed the Online Safety Act (OSA), which includes the Foreign Interference Offence as a priority offence. This will require social media companies to take action against a wide range of state-sponsored disinformation and interference targeted at the UK. Ofcom will produce guidance for providers on how they should fulfil these duties. The consultation for this guidance closed in March 2024 and Ofcom is currently finalising these codes, due to come into force at the end of 2024.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti question first answered 01/05/2024 07:45:35 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702190

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Semiconductors: Manufacturing Industries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support the diversification of semiconductor manufacturing to enhance supply chain resilience.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	22616
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p><strong></strong>The UK Government is taking steps domestically and internationally to address supply chain diversification requirements for different types of semiconductors. The UK has world-leading capability in semiconductor design, R&amp;D, and compound semiconductors and the Government is boosting the UK domestic sector through targeted intervention. Internationally, the UK Government is working closely with the G7 and bilaterally with partners such as Japan, the Republic of Korea and the US to improve global supply chain diversification and resilience.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti question first answered 26/04/2024 11:44:15 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702191

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Natural Disasters
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of natural disasters on (a) semiconductor supply chains and (b) global technology markets.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	22617
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>As the recently published Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy highlights, the UK Government is building capability to forecast and respond to external shocks to critical supply chains, including natural disasters. The Government will continue work to further the resilience of our critical imports and their supply chains, including semiconductors.</p><p>The UK Government is working closely with international partners, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to improve supply chain resilience for semiconductors. This includes working with the G7 and supporting the work of the OECD to improve the availability and exchange of information on semiconductor supply chain risks.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti question first answered 26/04/2024 11:46:09 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702192

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Semiconductors: Manufacturing Industries
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had discussions with her international counterparts on coordinating the global response to potential disruptions of semiconductor manufacturing as a result of geopolitical tensions.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	22618
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is working closely with international partners and has already signed semiconductor partnerships with Japan, the Republic of Korea and the US. These partnerships encourage greater transparency in the semiconductor market, place an increased focus on improving supply chain resilience, and establish areas of collaboration for mutual strategic advantage. Multilaterally, the UK Government is engaging with the G7 and the OECD Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network to strengthen understanding and coordination of global supply chain risks.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti question first answered 26/04/2024 07:56:04 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1702193

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Semiconductors: Supply Chains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking with allies to secure semiconductor supply chains in the context of heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	22619
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>Safeguarding the UK against supply chain disruptions is a key pillar of the UK National Semiconductor Strategy, and international collaboration is crucial to achieving this. The UK Government works closely with international partners, including through semiconductor partnerships with Japan and the Republic of Korea. These partnerships explore shared approaches and solutions to improve global supply chain resilience and aim to establish areas of collaboration for mutual strategic advantage. Multilaterally, the UK Government is engaging with the G7 and the OECD Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network to strengthen understanding and coordination of global supply chain risks.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti question first answered 26/04/2024 07:58:26 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1697541

registered interest
date	20/03/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Digital technology: Disadvantaged
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she is taking steps with (a) tech companies and (b) non-profits to improve the accessibility of digital content for people facing literacy barriers.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	19689
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2024 answer text <p>This Government has been clear that ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age is a key priority and continues to take steps to offer needed support, including through the new Cross-Whitehall Ministerial Group for Digital Inclusion.</p><p>Our 2021 Online Media Literacy Strategy seeks to support organisations to undertake activity in a more coordinated, wide-reaching, and high-quality way. Over the last year, we have funded 13 media literacy projects aimed at vulnerable and/or hard-to-reach citizens, including young women excluded from mainstream education and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.</p><p>The Online Safety Act empowers Ofcom to request information from in-scope companies about their media literacy activities to allow better visibility of tech industry efforts.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Saqib Bhatti question first answered 28/03/2024 09:47:57 answering member 4818 label Biography information for Saqib Bhatti
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1695925

registered interest
date	13/03/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Social Media: Regulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with (a) her US counterpart and (b) other international partners on regulation of social media platforms owned by companies based in countries where governments can compel access to user data.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	18566
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>Ministers and Senior Officials from across the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) meet regularly with international counterparts, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, on a range of issues. This includes social media platforms, online safety, ownership and access to data, including related to companies based overseas. The United States is a key international partner in these areas and the Government works closely with US partners including under the US-UK Comprehensive Dialogue on Technology and Data.</p><p> </p><p>The Government does not comment on discussions relating to specific cases/companies but will continue to work with partners to monitor and take appropriate steps to mitigate threats to UK data from all sources, including using regulation where necessary.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/03/2024 09:40:07 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1649360

registered interest
date	30/06/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Ofcom: Managers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether business appointment and governance rules apply to senior managers within Ofcom who are seeking to take up senior positions within companies regulated by that regulator.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	191947
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2023 answer text <p>Ofcom employees are not Crown servants and so the business appointment rules for Crown servants do not apply to them.</p><p>Ofcom has a robust and comprehensive conflict of interest policy, managed and regularly reviewed by its Executive Board, that upholds high regulatory standards of independence, impartiality and integrity. The policy and procedures in place enable Ofcom’s Executive to take swift and appropriate action should a situation emerge where an employee leaves to join a company that it regulates.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Sir John Whittingdale question first answered 10/07/2023 14:28:35 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1648196

registered interest
date	27/06/2023
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Emergency Calls: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she is taking steps to (a) increase the operational resilience of the 999 system and (b) ensure that control room systems have effective back-up systems.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	191398
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2023 answer text <p>We recognise the importance of 999 as an essential part of our public safety. The Government working in partnership with BT and the Emergency Authorities will be taking steps to strengthen the resilience of the Public Emergency Call Service, to ensure it meets the needs of the UK public.</p><p>The Government does not have a contract with BT to provide the Public Emergency Call Service, and does not pay BT to act as the 999 Call Handling Agent (CHA).</p><p>All Communication Providers (CPs) are required by the Communications Act (2003) to ensure the continuity of access to the Public Emergency Call Service, via the telephone numbers 999 and 112. These obligations are set out in the General Conditions of Entitlement and are regulated by Ofcom. All CPs pay BT to provide the service on their behalf, and this arrangement does not involve the Government.</p><p>Through their role as the independent regulator, Ofcom set BT an advisory target to answer 95% of calls within 5 seconds. While this is only an advisory target, Ofcom retains discretion to investigate, and take action against any CP for any possible breach of its General Conditions, which could include considering delays, errors, service quality and other relevant factors.</p><p>On 28 June 2023, Ofcom announced an investigation into the incident on 25 June 2023, and will seek to establish the facts surrounding the incident, and examine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that BT has failed to comply with its regulatory obligations.</p><p>In addition, the Government will be completing a full Post-Incident Review to examine the resilience of the system and to identify any lessons that may be learnt from the incident.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Sir John Whittingdale grouped question UIN 191399 191400 question first answered 04/07/2023 14:38:44 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi