---

Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, the first point to make in relation to these amendments is that we are dealing with matters that are reserved issues. Electronic communication networks and services are public policy matters that are looked after by Westminster. We on this side of the House have no appetite to change this arrangement as we believe these are matters correctly dealt with at a UK level. Broadband networks, for instance, do not differentiate across borders. I state this more as a matter of record than anything else as I am sure the noble Lord is not suggesting such a change. It is worth mentioning simply because it could be interpreted in that way. More importantly, we are not certain that these amendments are strictly necessary. The Minister will correct me if I am wrong, but we were under the impression that the Secretary of State would be able to share these reports with devolved Ministers in the usual manner. If they raised issues of particular note for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, then I am sure they would be passed on. More importantly—and this relates to an amendment we will be dealing with shortly—we assume that like most other Ofcom reports these will be made public. I hope that the Minister can shed some light on these assumptions.