Digital Economy Bill [ Lords]

Part of Business of the House – in the House of Commons at 4:44 pm on 6 April 2010.

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Photo of Peter Luff Peter Luff Chair, Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, Chair, Business, Innovation and Skills Committee 4:44, 6 April 2010

I cannot resist the pun: another of the ducked decisions is on ducts. Is my hon. Friend aware that access to ducts other than BT's-for example, waterways and sewers-is currently outside Ofcom's powers? Its response tells us that

"regulatory intervention in relation to infrastructure beyond the telecommunications sector would be a matter for the Government."

The Bill should be explicit about that, to achieve the investment in broadband that we want.