§ 26. Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about Government proposals in respect of encryption in electronic commerce. [86522]
§ Mr. WillsEncryption technology, whether used for authentication or confidentiality purposes, has a significant role to play in the emerging importance of electronic business and electronic government. I intend to give a boost to the use of these important technologies in the legislation on electronic commerce I will shortly bring before the House.
§ 27. Mr. McWilliamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his plans to regulate electronic commerce. [86523]
§ Mr. WillsI am pleased to say our recent consultation—Building Confidence in Electronic Commerce—announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 5 March 1999,Official Report, columns 928–29, resulted in over 240 responses, from industry and other interested parties.
The Government intend to introduce legislation on electronic commerce during the current session.