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Proceeding contribution from Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Monday, 8 February 2010. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Digital Economy Bill [HL].


Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, I should like to probe the Minister as to why, under paragraph 2(5) of Schedule 1, the Government are giving up control of the fee an authority may charge for classification. The idea of a Government giving up control of something, when those involved apparently did not ask for it, is unusual enough for it to warrant further investigation. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say. Amendment 255 is more substantial. Paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 allows an authority to charge for the classification of the same material every time it is reproduced in a different format, despite the material being identical. I understand that it is the practice for PEGI, and very lucrative it must be, with so many different ways of playing video games. I am glad that the BBFC apparently has no intention to start that practice and will instead continue to charge one fee for each video work, regardless of whether it is brought out on different platforms. Does the Minister feel that multiple fees of this nature are right? It seems artificial to insist on a distinction between the same material received in a different manner. I beg to move.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
717 c554-5 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Children Codes of practice Computer networks Copyright Digital broadcasting British Board of Film Classification Communication Licensing Emergency services Libraries Internet Ofcom Radio frequencies Radio Public lending right Local broadcasting Young people Regulation Safety Video games Classification schemes Streaming
Legislation
Digital Economy Bill (HL) 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk