Clause 2 - Initial function of OFCOM
Office of Communications Bill [Lords]
11:15 am
Mrs Anne McIntosh (Vale of York, Conservative)
That is a valid point. I was explaining why I believed that the amendment should apply in this case. I pray in aid again the better regulation taskforce, which gives a list of regulations that might have the sunset procedure applied. The list includes reserve powers that may never be used or bodies that are set up but never given powers to do anything. I would have been convinced that Ofcom were such a body, but the report helpfully confirms that it will be until such time as the main Bill is set up. The report also says that appeals to the Secretary of State for the proposals to establish those regulatory functions have been abandoned and that she has a duty to wind Ofcom up.
I understand that this matter is close to the Government's heart and something that they would
perhaps have usually included in the Bill, but for an oversight. This is their opportunity to do so.