Committee (7th Day)
Digital Economy Bill [HL]
6:30 pm
Lord de Mauley (- Shadow Minister (Also Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills), Shadow Minister; Conservative)
Amendment 247 is designed to probe the use of the power which Clause 40 would give to the Secretary of State. As I understand it, it is intended to allow for the implementation of the updated Pan-European Games Information, which is the European standard for video games. I hope that the Minister will be able to confirm that when he responds. Could he tell the House whether the clause permits the Secretary of State to carry out other activities, or is it exclusively to implement PEGI? Would the Minister not agree that matters would be improved by putting in some safeguards around the use of the power? A requirement for consultation would seem to be appropriate. Defining a specific purpose, such as allowing an order to ensure consistency with an international standard, would also be useful. I beg to move.