Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts

Thursday 16th June 2011 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport was asked—

[Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)]

1. When he expects to implement the remaining provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2010.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey)]

The provisions relating to the online infringement of copyright have been subject to a judicial review, but following the Government’s success in that case, we hope to announce a new timetable for the implementation of the measures in the Act shortly. We hope that the initial obligations will be proportionate, fair and effective.

[Andrew Gwynne]

I am grateful for the Minister’s response, but before the general election, his junior coalition partners campaigned fiercely to oppose web disconnection as part of the Act, and firmly pledged to take disconnection off the statute book. The coalition Government are now reviewing whether the disconnection provisions are technically workable. Does that mean that they are okay with the principle of internet disconnection, and what is the time scale for publishing Ofcom’s findings on sections 17 and 18?

[Mr Vaizey]

I think the hon. Gentleman refers to the provisions to block websites. As he quite rightly says, Ofcom has prepared a report on that, which we will publish alongside our proposals for taking the Act forward.