§ Brian WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what analysis he has undertaken of the Internet Watch Foundation's Annual Report 2004; and if he will make a statement. [166799]
§ Ms BlearsWe welcome the Annual Report of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) 2003, which was published in March 2004, and congratulate the IWF on their achievements.
The report shows a continued increase in the number of reports made to the IWF, to just under 20,000 in 2003. The report also highlights the fact that only 1 per cent. of illegal content identified by IWF in 2003 was hosted in the UK: this represents a significant improvement from 18 per cent. in 1997, and demonstrates the willingness of UK industry to work effectively to remove illegal content. These figures also demonstrate the continuing need for international co-operation to deal with illegal content on the internet: the report shows that the IWF themselves have active partnerships with hotlines and other agencies abroad, and support the UK police in their efforts to encourage such co-operation.
Overall, the report clearly shows the value of a co-operative approach involving a wide variety of partners in combating child pornography on the Internet and other 74W illegal content. It shows a welcome increase in the number and range of companies supporting the IWF, and particularly the involvement of companies from sectors not previously engaged with the IWF. The involvement of such groups as mobile telecommunications providers, search engines and the finance industry in discussions with the IWF and others to reduce access to illegal content is further demonstration of the value of this approach.