HL Deb 06 November 2002 vol 640 cc127-8WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to promote the take-up of e-commerce electronic signature trust services. [HL6232]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston):

The Government are fully committed to the tScheme for the approval of trust services, and are also looking at ways to increase the take up of these services. To this end the e-envoy is preparing consultation papers on digital signatures for citizens and businesses which will explore ways of promoting take-up; we hope to issue these papers early in the new year.

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

As of 30 October 2002, how many companies have achieved fully registered status with the tScheme for electronic signatures. [HL6233]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston:

There are currently three companies which have achieved tScheme-approved status. These companies are the Royal Bank of Scotland, Trutis and BT Ignite.

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What their methodology is for measuring the success of the tScheme for electronic signatures; and whether the methodology demonstrates the scheme to be a success. [HL6234]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston:

The Electronic Communications Act 2000 gives the Secretary of State a time-limited power to establish a statutory scheme to approve cryptographic service providers and establishes the objectives of such a scheme. It is a matter for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as to whether this power will be used.

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the implementation of electronic signatures in the United Kingdom under the tScheme has delivered a situation where electronic signatures are interpreted as being an acceptable legal authorisation of and for business; and what criteria they employ whereby this can be measured adequately. [HL6235]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston:

Electronic signatures are accepted as legally admissible under the Electronic Communications Act 2000. They are being increasingly used in business, and the tScheme has done valuable work in setting common standards for approval.