Clause 4 - Functions of existing regulators
Office of Communications Bill [Lords]
12:45 pm
Mrs Anne McIntosh (Vale of York, Conservative)
I just wanted to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield on a stirring speech that unfortunately did not stir the Minister to a reply. The Minister should have taken the opportunity to say how the preparations will be put into effect.
We are told in the explanatory notes that subsection (2)
''imposes a duty on existing regulators to comply with directions from the Secretary of State to prepare schemes for transfer to OFCOM of their property, rights and liabilities, so that they can be transferred with the minimum of delay when the regulatory functions are ready to be transferred to OFCOM under the Communications Bill.''
According to the explanatory notes, subsection (3)
''provides that the existing regulators have the power to do anything incidental or conducive to their functions under this Bill. This includes assistance to OFCOM by means of secondment of staff and the payment and provision of information.''