Clause 14 - Duty to publish and take account of research
Communications Bill
4:30 pm
Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield, Conservative)
I welcome clause 14, as it encourages a spirit of openness, but there are a couple of points about which I seek clarification.
The Committee has dealt with clause 1(5)(b). That stated that there is an obligation on Ofcom to
''promote the carrying out of such research and development by others, or otherwise to arrange for it to be carried out by others''.
That research and development will mainly be in engineering sectors.
Clause 14 does not explicitly mention this, but can the Minister confirm that subsection 1(b), which states
''to consider and, to such extent as they think fit, to take account of the results of such research''
does not just include the research detailed in clause 13, and that if research is undertaken by Ofcom—or someone it has contracted, as it is empowered to do under clause 1—it will publish that information under clause 14?
Subsections (3) and (4) contain sensible provisions to do with issues that should remain confidential. However, do they fully comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000?