Oral Answers to Questions

Sandy Martin Excerpts

Thursday 22nd March 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Margot James)]

We are aware of the issues facing community and parish councils. As public authorities, they do come under the GDPR. They are able to share a data officer, so that is some help, but we will be reviewing the concerns that they have as a matter of urgency.

[Sandy Martin (Ipswich) (Lab)]

One of my friends took his own life, at least partly as a result of online bullying. Why are the Government still pursuing a model of voluntary codes for social media when they have already demonstrably failed?

[Matt Hancock]

We have made it extremely clear that we are prepared to legislate further if that is necessary. We are currently consulting on the internet safety strategy. I would be very happy if the hon. Gentleman wanted to feed back into that. We have shown, and made the case, over the past year that this wild west free-for-all of the internet companies must come to an end, and this is a turning point.