Clause 7 - Electronic communications code: the need to promote growth

Part of Growth and Infrastructure Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 12:15 pm on 29 November 2012.

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Photo of Roberta Blackman-Woods Roberta Blackman-Woods Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government) 12:15, 29 November 2012

I am very interested in the Minister’s comments about why sustainability is not central to the whole issue of national parks and development in those areas. I shall go away and look at his comments again and study them in the light of the NPPF and the centrality it gives sustainable development. I hope that we have made it clear, but I am going to say it again for the record: we are absolutely committed to the roll-out of broadband to rural areas, including superfast broadband. In government, we did much to facilitate that, so our comments are absolutely not about restricting broadband and its roll-out across the country. We acknowledge how important it is. Our concern is that the clause does not limit itself to broadband, and we are worried, as are a lot of other people, about the impact that could have on those important communities.

I would appreciate it if the Minister would let us know exactly which bit of European legislation restricts us from limiting the clause to broadband. If he wishes to put that in a letter to me, my colleagues and members of the Committee, I would be grateful to receive it. I am also pleased that he has said that he will go away and see if something can be put in regulations. That would be a helpful way forward.

I repeat that we would have liked to see some support given to Ofgem and communities to enable them to receive superfast broadband by applying a levy, and that this is absolutely not about restricting the roll-out of broadband; it is about looking at a better way of delivering it than the clause provides. Bearing in mind what the Minister has said, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.