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Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, my speaking notes state that the suggestions of my noble friend and the noble Earl are very sensible. I have to tell the Committee that I am rather bowled over at the thought of suggesting to Her Majesty's Government yet another form of taxation, when they are already hard at it—particularly at a time when Gordon Brown wants me to write an enormous cheque before 31 January. It would be quite unfair to punish a registry for failing to undertake something it is unable, rather than unwilling, to do. There is already considerable disquiet among many at the idea that these provisions will nationalise the internet. I would welcome the reassurance which will be provided by these amendments that the Government will not be using this clause as a pretext for unnecessarily taking over a registry.