SCRUTINY OF THE COMMUNICATIONS BILL

Early day motion 162, tabled 20 November 2002 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 20 members.

That this House commends the decision to publish the Communications Bill in draft form for prelegislative scrutiny in June; acknowledges the excellent work of the Joint Scrutiny Committee chaired by Lord Puttnam in considering this proposed measure and the positive response to that Committee's recommendations from the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport; welcomes the wider dialogue and debate prompted about the Bill and its provisions by the seminars and publications organised by the Westminster Media Forum at which the Secretary of State, Opposition spokespersons, leading figures from the media industry, regulators, consumers and others have all had the opportunity to participate; approves the holding of the Keynote Seminar and National Technology Exhibition organised by the Forum on Thursday 5th December at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, London SW1, to which all honourable Members of both Houses of Parliament were invited, and at which the new technologies available in the communications sector will be displayed; and hopes that the example set in this Bill will become a precedent for other major bills as well as continuing on the Communications Bill itself.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 6.