---

Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, I am grateful to the two noble Lords who have spoken, especially the noble Lord, Lord De Mauley, for moving the amendment, but we are of the view that we need reports to the Secretary of State at regular and known intervals on the UK’s communications infrastructure and services. That regular summary will provide the Government with a clear indication of the state of health of the country's communications infrastructure and allow regular comparative assessments to be made. The report will, for example, highlight any longer term infrastructure planning issues and potential network and service delivery problems, help to co-ordinate national and regional strategic development, and support in policy development. The reports are intended to ensure that the Government have a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the communications infrastructure of this country. By setting out in the legislation when both the first and subsequent reports should be produced, Ofcom and—of great importance—service providers will have the notice necessary to allow them to plan to meet the requirement. In this rapidly changing environment, and one of such critical importance, we think it important to include in the Bill the regularity of the reports to the Secretary of State. I therefore hope that the noble Lord will feel that he has probed the issue, but the Government think that there are great merits in the current drafting.