HC Deb 15 July 1999 vol 335 cc560-2
11. Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)

What representations he has received about the Government's proposed legislation on electronic communications. [90019]

The Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry (Mr. Michael Wills)

I am delighted to tell the House that our recent consultation—"Building Confidence in Electronic Commerce"—announced by my right honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 5 March, resulted in more than 240 responses from industry and other interested parties.

In addition, both my right hon. Friend and I have frequent meetings with senior industry representatives. The Government's proposed legislation on electronic communications features in those discussions from time to time.

Mr. Bruce

I am surprised that the Minister cannot tell us yet that he is going to publish his electronic communications Bill, at least in draft, because he knows that the last time that the Government produced a draft Bill on electronic commerce, the comments of industry and the Opposition enabled them to modify it enormously. He knows that, in the Queen's Speech, the Government announced that they would introduce a Bill that would become an Act in this Parliament. I hope that he will take the opportunity to publish the draft Bill, which is in a rather unformed state at the moment, so that industry can comment on it during the summer, thus enabling the Government to fulfil in the next Queen's Speech the intentions that they stated in the last Queen's Speech.

Mr. Wills

I recognise the hon. Gentleman's keen interest in the matter. As he is probably aware, discussions are under way through the usual channels about the best way of bringing that measure forward. It will be brought forward as soon as possible.

Mr. Brian White (Milton Keynes, North-East)

Not for the first time, the Tories seem to be putting party advantage ahead of the country's interests. However, the Minister will be aware that biotechnology is a very fast-moving industry, in which six months' delay is the equivalent of two years' delay in any other industry. Given the need to keep Britain ahead in this industry, we cannot afford a six-month delay. Will the Minister outline what steps he will take over the summer, such as consultations with Oftel, to advance measures that will keep Britain ahead in e-commerce? If the price that the Tories want is just digital signatures, may we just have those now and the rest of the Bill in the next Queen's Speech?

Mr. Wills

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. We are moving ahead on the Bill as quickly as possible. From his keen interest in and in-depth knowledge of the subject, my hon. Friend will be well aware that we are moving ahead on a range of measures to promote e-commerce in Britain. In the past six months we have laid the foundations for a world-class infrastructure. We have announced a consultation on the introduction of broad-band wireless through making available two large packages of spectrum at 28 and 40 GHz. A few days ago, Oftel announced the results of its consultation on unbundling the local loop, which will be a crucial plank in building the access to broad-band that this country will need for effective e-commerce.

We are moving ahead in other areas as well. We have launched the adviser skills initiative to make sure that small businesses get the help and support that they need to use the opportunities that are available to them through e-commerce. We have created Trust UK, which is an industry-led body to boost confidence in internet shopping through an on-line hallmark. We have done more, and I can reassure my hon. Friend that there is much more still to come.

Mr. Alan Duncan (Rutland and Mellon)

I fear that the Minister rather evaded the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Mr. Bruce). Does the Minister accept that we want a short, simple Bill to establish the law of electronic signature and contract? It seems that he is to publish a long, cumbersome blancmange of a Bill, which risks being a drag anchor on e-business. Will he drop his proposed voluntary licensing scheme for encryption service providers in favour of a voluntary code? Will he put clauses dealing with interception in a different Bill? Above all, as my hon. Friend asked earlier, will he publish the Bill now, albeit only in draft form, so that he can hear representations over the summer? Regardless of any carry-over procedure, that would be the speediest way of getting good e-communications law onto the statute book for the benefit of Britain's position in this important commercial sector.

Mr. Wills

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman does not seriously expect me to discuss the content of the Bill before it is introduced in the House. I am sure timt you would not appreciate that, Madam Speaker. I have already given my answer on the publication. The hon. Gentleman will just have to be patient a few days longer.