Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margot James and Lord Soames of Fletching
Thursday 13th December 2018

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Margot James Portrait Margot James
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I am not aware of the report to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I am aware that the UK and Scottish Governments are working together to bring about better speeds and access to superfast broadband, which is already at 93.5% in Scotland.

Lord Soames of Fletching Portrait Sir Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con)
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T7. Soft power is one of the golden assets that this country possesses, but it is not nearly well enough co-ordinated; indeed, it is badly co-ordinated. This should be done better. Will my hon. Friend consider what steps his Department could take to ensure that co-ordination is greatly improved?

Proposal for Designation of Age-verification Regulator

Debate between Margot James and Lord Soames of Fletching
Thursday 1st February 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

General Committees
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Margot James Portrait Margot James
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I thank hon. Members for their contributions, and I thank the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute and the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill for their warm welcome. I, too, look forward to many more hours of debating with them and their colleagues.

With regard to the app of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, I am afraid that I have been too busy working this morning to have been on it. Since it has just been launched, I have no doubt that he will have time to refine it in forthcoming days.

Lord Soames of Fletching Portrait Sir Nicholas Soames
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Will the Minister give way?

Margot James Portrait Margot James
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Just before I give way, I will deal with the substantive point raised by the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill about whether such apps will come under the purview of the regulation. Hon. Members should bear in mind the important point that the regulation seeks to regulate age verification with regard to pornography that is made available for commercial use.

Lord Soames of Fletching Portrait Sir Nicholas Soames
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I want to help the Minister in that I have been on the app and, contrary to what the right hon. Gentleman said, it is truly magnificent. It is a road down which we must all go.