UK: International Competitiveness

Debate between Lord Bishop of Hereford and Baroness Wilcox

Wednesday 23rd June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

I thank my noble friend for that, and I can only agree with him.

[The Lord Bishop of Hereford]

My Lords, can the Minister give an assurance that the Government will do their utmost to provide high-speed broadband in rural areas in order not to blunt the competitiveness of key development and employment in that part of our nation?

[Baroness Wilcox]

Yes. Legislation for this is on the way. Noble Lords must already know that we are keen and concerned to ensure that the regions are kept as up to date as everywhere else. We do not want this to be London-centric or eastern-centric; we want to make absolutely sure that rural areas, such as where I live, have as soon as possible all the infrastructure that they need.