§
Lords amendment: No. 15, in page 8, line 30, at end insert—
("( ) any such provision in relation to electronic communications or electronic storage the use of which is authorised otherwise than by an order under this section as corresponds to any provision falling within
1126
any of the preceding paragraphs that may be made where it is such an order that authorises the use of the communications or storage.")
§ Madam SpeakerWith this it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendment No. 16.
§ Ms HewittThese amendments are technical and amplify the power contained in clause 8. Amendment No. 15 is intended to ensure that the clause works in the same way when an order facilitates electronic communication as when it authorises such communication. The clause 8 power can operate on both primary and secondary legislation. Amendment No. 16 makes it clear that clause 8 could also operate by modifying a power to make secondary legislation.
I commend the amendments to the House.
§ Mr. AllanAgain, I welcome the amendments. The Minister will be aware that in Committee hon. Members on both sides—including Labour Back Benchers, who made some important contributions—strongly expressed the view that the clause 8 powers should be put in place as swiftly and effectively as possible to facilitate the Government moving towards the use of electronic communications and storage of data. Clearly, the Government took that feeling on board and are trying to do so.
We welcome the fact that the amendments would facilitate that process and would enable the Government not to find unnecessary blocks further down the road to moving from traditional paper-based methods to electronic methods. In that context, the Liberal Democrats certainly see the amendments as an important addition to the clause. However, I reiterate our desire for the Government to move ahead with clause 8 powers as quickly as they can once the Bill becomes law.
§ Lords amendment agreed to.
§ Lords amendment No. 16 agreed to.