§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what legal controls there are in respect of material providing instructions on explosives and weapons on the Internet; and if he will make a statement; [10479]
(2) if he will press for the prosecution of those Internet providers who publish the detailed processes of making explosives and bombs; and if he will make a statement. [10483]
§ Mr. MacleanThere are no specific legal controls in respect of material providing instructions on explosives and weapons whether that material is contained on the Internet or any other medium. A person could, however, be liable to prosecution under the Explosive Substances Act 1883 if they actually carried out the instructions to make an explosive device, or the Control of Explosives Regulations 1991 for simply acquiring or keeping explosives without an explosives certificate from the police.
In such cases, it is the responsibility of the police to decide whether there are sufficient grounds to launch a criminal investigation, and that of the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to prosecute those alleged to be responsible for the material.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to meet the Internet providers so as to eliminate the practice of the Internet making available chemical and other data required for making bombs and incendiary devices; [10481]
262W(2) how he proposes to prevent children and students having access via the Internet to material illustrating how explosives and bombs might be made; [10480]
(3) what legislation he plans to bring forward to prevent Internet providers publishing manuals on bomb making and terrorist activities; and if he will make a statement. [10482]
§ Mr. MacleanOfficials have discussed with Internet service providers concerns about the availability of unsuitable material on the Internet, and ways of controlling access by children and young people to such material. The Government are currently considering the most suitable way of tackling the issue.
The general question of regulation of the Internet and other computer networks is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who has commissioned a short study on the subject of unsuitable material on the Internet to identify the issues and possible solutions.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the availability on the Internet of information on the making of bombs and the materials required for the making of bombs and on the techniques of terrorism. [11032]
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. and learned Friend has received one letter expressing concern about the availability of information on the Internet providing instructions on how to make bombs and on terrorist techniques.