§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish the terms of reference given to Towers Perrin in relation to the development of the draft Communications Bill. [3850]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 13 July 2001]A Steering Group, drawn from the five existing regulators and officials from my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry, is advising the Government on the practical steps required to create Ofcom. Towers Perrin is assisting in this work to
provide a clear overall view of the functions, processes, structures and resources in each of the existing regulators;assess the options for Ofcom under each of these four headings;propose criteria for evaluating these options; andset out a clear timetable for the stages of work that will need to be carried out in order to get from where we are now to a fully functioning Ofcom in 2003.The report was published on 12 October 2001 and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she will take to ensure that the consumers panel envisaged in the Communications White Paper will be representative of consumer opinion. [3853]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 13 July 2001]Detailed provisions for the Consumer Panel will be included in the draft Communications Bill we shall be publishing later in the current Session. The White Paper makes it clear that the panel will have a remit to research consumer views and concerns, and will be able to decide its own research objectives. The panel will also have an explicit obligation to take due account of the views of consumers with special needs, including those on low incomes or with1378W disabilities. These will be important elements in ensuring that the Panel's advice to Ofcom takes full account of all shades of consumer experience and opinion.