Office of Communications Bill [HL]

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 5:30 pm on 29 October 2001.

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Photo of Lord Lipsey Lord Lipsey Labour 5:30, 29 October 2001

I agree with the argument that has just been advanced. But I would put the case even more strongly. Most of Ofcom's work will relate to commercial and economic regulation, as the work of Oftel presently does. So it needs people who can do a job of work and who have a certain expertise, not people who fit certain characteristics. If the Secretary of State can find a disabled Welsh woman who is also a top-class regulatory economist, by all means let her be appointed to Ofcom. It is much more important that the person appointed should be a top-class regulatory economist than that he or she should be disabled, Welsh or a woman.