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Digital Economy Bill [HL]

I speak also to Amendment 11, in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, and Amendment 13. All the amendments relate to new Section 134A, which sets out the content, timing and definitional issues that relate to the preparation of the initial biennial and ad hoc reports. The matters to be covered in the reports are already outlined in subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b), but I want to make clear beyond doubt that those specific network and service matters are to be covered in the initial and subsequent biennial reports, to which we have just referred. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, for his suggested amendment. It helpfully drew to our attention the fact that, as drafted, there was indeed ambiguity as to whether each report would cover all the matters in subsections (1)(a) and 1(b). However, we have difficulties with the amendment. I would like to have stood at the Box and accepted it. I am sure that that would have pleased him as much is me. However, his amendment clarified the situation only in respect of the initial report, and we feel that it is necessary to make the clarification in respect of all subsequent reports as well. I might add that while we were looking at the drafting of the clause, we became aware that, as originally drafted, new Section 134A requires subsequent reports to relate to a "relevant period", but does not expressly require there to be a subsequent period for each relevant period. In theory, that could allow gaps to occur in the provision of reports. Because of that possible anomaly, we have tabled the two amendments and trust that they will provide clarity on the extent of each report and that there must be a report every two years. I am extremely grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, for having already improved the Bill—or at least having obliged the Government to make the necessary improvements. I beg to move.