§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement regarding the ethical issues relating to information superhighways. [33013]
§ Mr. FreemanThe development of information superhighways and the growth of multimedia applications raise a number of issues which are relevant to the responsibilities of several Government Departments and other bodies. The CCTA in particular has been working on research which has made an important contribution to consideration within Government. Since questions of information superhighways regulation bear particularly strongly upon the responsibilities of the Department of Trade and Industry, I have agreed with my hon. Friend the Minister for Science and Technology that his Department will take the lead in any Government statements in this area. On 21 May 1996, my hon. Friend made a speech to the Internet Service Providers Association setting out the Government's views on these matters. A copy of the speech has been placed in the House Library.