Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 November 1998. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 November 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proposals he has to facilitate electronic commerce with regard to changes in restrictions in the use of cryptography. - (Holding answer 10 November 1998).

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to facilitate electronic commerce with regard to changes in restrictions in the use of cryptography. [59225] Mrs. Roche: [holding answer 10 November 1998]: The Government are committed to making the UK the best environment in which business can trade electronically and thus we do not have any plans to restrict the use of cryptography, which is seen by many as a vital technology for confidence and trust. We do, however, have plans to introduce legislation, when parliamentary time permits, to set voluntary standards for those bodies providing electronic signatures and encryption services.

Secondary information