Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Sir Alan, I am not going to move that clause 1 stands part of the Bill. In-

The Chairman:

Order. For the sake of rectitude, I should say to the right hon. Gentleman that he does not have to move this. The Question is on whether the clause stands part of the Bill, so we shall see what the debate brings on that matter.

I am grateful to you, Sir Alan. As I say, I am not going to move this.

Clause 1 gives us a requirement in the Bill for Ofcom to promote investment in electronic communications networks and public service media content. That is an important measure, particularly given that there is wide agreement, including across the House, about the importance of promoting investment and of Ofcom facilitating the investment we need in next-generation broadband and in modern communications networks. Nevertheless, given the nature of this wash-up process and my wish to help other Members, I am not moving that the clause should stand part of the Bill and I am not seeking to persuade Members to support it.

I understand what the Minister is saying about the nature of the process. Is he aware that in Montgomeryshire, which has many "not spots", there is a general nervousness that the Government have not sought to legislate to guarantee good access to fast broadband across the country? How does his action on this clause interrelate with my efforts to try to get Montgomeryshire on to the information superhighway?

The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point. It is a matter of deep concern in rural areas across the country-in Scotland, where I have been recently, and in England and Wales too.

The key steps that are being taken are, first, our commitment to universal service at 2 megabits per second-because many of the areas about which the hon. Gentleman is talking do not have any broadband at all at the moment-by 2012. Broadband Delivery UK is working on that at the moment. Secondly, we need the landline levy-sadly not now in the Finance Bill for this year, although it will be in the Finance Bill that we will introduce straight after the election-with a 50p a month levy on phone lines that will give us the funding to invest in next-generation broadband in rural areas across the country. There is wide agreement across the House about the importance of next-generation broadband being delivered in rural areas. There also needs to be a means to deliver it. That is what the landline levy will give us. There will be no means otherwise.

Am I therefore right to understand that the action that the Minister is taking on this clause does not represent a change of policy from the Government on guaranteeing 2 megabits per second to rural seats? Can I go back to Montgomeryshire and say that despite the fact that he will not press this clause, he will still give an absolute assurance that all the communities and homes in Montgomeryshire can expect 2 megabits per second broadband access were his Government to be re-elected, however rural or remote the settlement?

I can give the hon. Gentleman the reassurance that our universal service commitment stands.

The Minister tells us that he is sad that the broadband tax has been dropped and he said that it was being done to be helpful to the House. Will he explain why, given that there is a majority in this House and a majority in another place in favour of that tax, it has been dropped?

The Chairman:

Order. I must say to the hon. Gentleman that that matter has nothing to do with the Bill or with the clause that we are discussing.

Thus warned, Sir Alan, I shall be cautious, other than to say that the hon. Gentleman knows well how these matters are determined.

Question put and negatived.

Clause 1 accordingly disagreed to.

Clause s 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.