Clause 47 - Matters to which general conditions may relate
Communications Bill
12:15 pm
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness), Department of Trade and Industry; East Ham, Labour)
My hon. Friend makes an interesting point. The lead will have to be taken by the industry, but it will be important that Ofcom stays in close touch with the industry's views as technology develops. I have had discussions with some people in the industry and I am sure that Ofcom will want to do the same.
The hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford did not make a strong case for the amendment, which presents several difficulties. It would not be right to hint at national steps to mandate technical standards when it has not been proved that self-regulatory solutions are ineffective. We hope that they will be effective. The issue is international and should be dealt with internationally rather than from one country's perspective. It is right to draw attention to the prospects for significant technological advances
—my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, North-East is right to say that Ofcom should keep a close eye on them—but it would be a mistake to go further in the way that the amendment suggests.