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Wireless Telegraphy Bill [HL]

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. The Bill gives effect to the Law Commission’s proposal that legislation regulating the management of the radio spectrum should be consolidated into a single Act. The Bill is solely a consolidation measure, which will bring together provisions from six statutes. These are: the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, the Marine, &c, Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967, Part II of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967, Part VI of the Telecommunications Act 1984, the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 and Part 2 of the Communications Act 2003. Amendments made by a pre-consolidation order under the 2003 Act are also to be taken into account in the Bill. The Bill is the first consolidation measure to be introduced for some time. This is regrettable, but the Bill will, I hope, shortly be followed by others. Consolidation is an important part of the Government’s better regulation agenda. It makes the law easier to use and understand. It improves the statute book and saves time and money for those who have to consult it. I am grateful to all those at the Law Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry who have worked on the Wireless Telegraphy Bill and to those who responded to the consultation on its content. Ofcom, which will be one of the prime users of the legislation, welcomes the Bill. If your Lordships are content to give the Bill a Second Reading, it will be referred to the Joint Committee on consolidation Bills in the usual way. Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(Lord Falconer of Thoroton.) On Question, Bill read a second time, and committed to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.