Communications Act 2003: 10th Report on Secretary of State’s Functions

John Whittingdale Excerpts

Thursday 8th July 2021 Written Statements

[The Minister for Media and Data (Mr John Whittingdale)]

The Government have today laid a report before Parliament to fulfil their statutory duty under section 390 of the Communications Act 2003. Section 390 of the Communications Act 2003 requires the Secretary of State to prepare and lay before Parliament reports about the performance of the Secretary of State’s functions under the following legislation:

the Communications Act 2003;

the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006;

the Office of Communications Act 2002; and

the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996.

This rectifies a historic oversight in discharging this statutory duty since the ninth report was laid in February 2014. Notwithstanding this oversight, the Government have been fully transparent because each time a power has been used, the relevant parliamentary procedure has been followed and/or a public/parliamentary announcement has been made. A retrospective report to cover the period to 28 December 2020 is now, however, being laid to correct this.

The Department accepts full responsibility and apologises. Action has been taken to ensure the Department fulfils this statutory duty on an annual basis. The report will be published on gov.uk and a copy of the report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS160]