Speeches by Downie.

“Do you have any conversations with other Government Departments about what has happened in Ukraine, and how that energy network has been protected from cyber-attack—obviously, it is under near-constant cyber and physical attack—as well as about other countries where there have been suspected cyber-attacks?”

“I thank the Chancellor for acknowledging the incredible contribution of the workforce at Rosyth to the roll-out of the Type 31 frigate last week. I also thank her for the ongoing investment in energy infrastructure, particularly as we see increasing challenges in the middle east coming towards energy bills. May I ask h…”

“Iranian action in the strait of Hormuz and the attacks on energy infrastructure risk driving up energy prices here in the UK. Will the Prime Minister, in the coming days and weeks, make it clear that the blame for any rising energy prices lies with Iran? Will he also hold all possible discussions to support people in t…”

“I am interested in the key motivation. Is it to stop the increase of forest fires and reduce the risk of flooding? A lot of that would come back to how the Department communicates.”

“You mentioned that 79% of people support action on climate change. Is there any data further to that on what their motivation was for supporting action on climate? Was it saving the planet, lower bills, jobs or investment? I believe the statistic—it sounds right—but the motivation matters almost more than a quick answe…”

“Ryan, is there something from a civil service point of view about those policy languages? That policy language is, of course, the right scientific term to use, but how do we make sure that the Department does not reflect that in its public communications, and that that language is kept for scientific or internal discus…”

“What might be better terms to use? Does the Secretary of State need a new title?”

“You have just been describing some of the good actions you are taking and net zero was running through a lot of the things you were describing. If we want the public to engage with the agenda—I think you were right to point out that the motivation of individuals or businesses is around cost—would it not be more helpful…”

“You mentioned in your introduction the importance of effective communications. What do you think the public think that net zero means?”

“There is a risk that if we do not tackle this, food prices will increase and health crises will increase, partly precipitating climate change, because we have not deterred effectively and told that story.”

“I will be joining you on it in a second. Is that also the case when we are telling a narrative about the threats that are caused by or that precipitate climate change, rather than just describing a climate change narrative? In the same way as we say, “Why is renewable energy important? Because it brings your bills down…”

“Can I jump in briefly, Chair? As you know, this is one of my pet projects.”

“You are saying there would be merit in formalising that kind of arrangement, as part of energy security in the most physical sense.”

“And that is done quite informally at the moment, or done between militaries.”

“In an increasingly fractured world, can you see something—I’m not suggesting the Hamburg declaration—but some kind of security force and collaboration coming out of that that is cyber and physical?”

“Recently, I was speaking to someone in Scotland who is involved in energy generation in the north-east offshore. They said, “If a Russian submarine appears next to my installation, who do I phone?””

“In terms of the more physical and cyber-security elements that are covered in the Hamburg declaration, where do you see the line for them? How close should that co-operation be? We have got something like the joint expeditionary force that covers physical security in the High North. Are you almost asking for a physical…”

“On that point about interconnectors and renewables, the challenges came up in a previous evidence session. If it is sunny in the south-east of England, the odds are it is sunny in the north-west of France. At what point do we say, “We can or can’t share, because we have got our own as well”? Where is that balance, in t…”

“Professor Morisetti, in your introduction after answering the Chair’s first question, you talked about Russia attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure as a weak point. We saw the UK sign up to the Hamburg declaration in January, which covers a range of energy security issues, and is a sign of international co-operatio…”

“Because they listen to each other. You listen to your peers.”