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Internet and Video Games

I am aware that I have perhaps occupied the Committee’s time to the point of pushing my luck, so I shall draw my remarks to a conclusion. I acknowledge the hon. Gentleman’s point. I am sure that, in the future, games will be made available online—indeed, films are now increasingly available online. That poses huge challenges to the enforcement of age verification standards and controls on inappropriate content. However, attempts are being made to adapt both the BBFC and PEGI systems to that fact, and the BBFC argued strongly to the Committee that it was better equipped to deal with the matter because it had the experience, expertise and resources needed. It was confident that it could take on the online challenge. The Committee felt that the system that has been in place, administered by the BBFC, has been proved to work, and that that system, which commands the confidence of consumers, should be the one to remain. However, the argument is continuing. I know that the Government are consulting on the matter and the consultation is about to end. I am sure that the Minister will be interested to hear the views not only of the Committee, but of one or two hon. Members present this afternoon who may take a different view. I have given a summary of several different issues highlighted in the report. We look forward to hearing a little more from the Minister about the Government’s response, beyond what was set out in the formal published response, which, as the hon. Member for Bath suggested, fell short in one or two areas.