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Lord Davies of Gower (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 18 March 2026

Debate

Crime and Policing Bill

Contribution

My Lords, I thank my noble friends Lady Neville-Rolfe and Lord Jackson of Peterborough for tabling this amendment and the noble Earl, Lord Russell, for adding his name to it. It addresses the need to review and update the legislation dealing with the sabotaging of our critical national infrastructure at the current time. Permitting the Secretary of State the power to increase the penalties for damaging submarine cables to 15 years reflects the heightened risk and the seriousness of the offence. The demand for submarine cables is exorbitantly more than when the Act in question was first passed over 150 years ago, so the punishment for inflicting damage to them should reflect that change. Similarly, at a time when international security is fracturing, securing our undersea cables is incredibly important. The same can be said for proposed new subsection (3) in the amendment. Updating the 1885 Act’s contents is a step, but thorough analysis should be undertaken on its adequacy in the modern day. A one-year report is a very welcome measure and we wholly support it.

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