Written question asked by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Monday, 26 September 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 October 2022. It was answered by Lord Callanan (Conservative) on Monday, 10 October 2022 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Offshore Structures: Protection

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government who is responsible for coordinating protection of (1) oil and gas installations, (2) pipelines, (3) offshore windfarms, (4) undersea electrical cables and interconnectors, and (5) fibreoptic cables, in (a) UK territorial seas, and (b) UK exclusive economic zones; and where this coordination takes place.

Original answer: The Government takes the protection and resilience of subsea and offshore infrastructure seriously and departments work together to protect it from malicious and other hazards such as accidental damage. The Cabinet Office is responsible for coordinating interdepartmental efforts. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is the lead department for the energy sector, including subsea energy CrNI. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is the lead department for telecommunications policy, including telecommunications subsea cables. The Ministry of Defence is responsible for defending UK interests within the UK Marine Area (UK Territorial Waters and Exclusive Economic Zones) and forms part of HMG’s efforts to counter state threats.

The answer was corrected by Lord Callanan (Conservative)

Corrected answer: The Government takes the protection and resilience of subsea and offshore infrastructure seriously and departments work together to protect it from malicious and other hazards such as accidental damage. The Cabinet Office is responsible for coordinating interdepartmental efforts. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is the lead department for the energy sector, including subsea energy infrastructure~~CrNI~~. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is the lead department for telecommunications policy, including telecommunications subsea cables. The Ministry of Defence is responsible for defending UK interests within the UK Marine Area (UK Territorial Waters and Exclusive Economic Zones) and forms part of HMG’s efforts to counter state threats.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL2382
Session: 2022-23
Related items: Offshore Structures: Protection
Wednesday, 26 October 2022
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Electric cables Protection Offshore structures Pipelines Seas and oceans Wind power Electricity interconnectors
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk