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Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, I should make it clear that we have no problem with and, indeed, support the principle of regular infrastructure reports. I am interested in the word "etc". Given the debates we have had on the Bill, I am surprised noble Lords have not wondered what "etc" means, but I am sure that we can assume knowledge of what it means for the purposes of the clause. This is a probing amendment. As I said, we are totally supportive of the principle that there should be in the Bill a requirement for Ofcom to produce infrastructure reports, but we wonder whether a two-year cycle is too short and carries with it the danger found in an Australian general election where, as soon as the election has taken place, the campaigning for the next one starts because of the short period between elections. Clearly these obligations will require not only a significant amount of work by Ofcom but, if the report is to be dealt with in a proper manner, significant input from the networks with regard to the provision and implications of data. The networks are more used—as is Ofcom—to having market reviews which are three to four years apart. In the light of the potentially onerous nature of the requirement on the networks and the workload on Ofcom, if these reports are to be meaningful, we wonder whether a four-year cycle rather than a two-year cycle would be more appropriate. I beg to move.