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Proceeding contribution from Earl of Erroll (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Monday, 15 March 2010. It occurred during Debate on bill on Digital Economy Bill [HL].


Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, I beg to move my Amendment 15, although I suspect that is a bit redundant after what I have just heard from the Minister. I need first to declare that I have a tiny interest in a search engine start-up that is for business purposes. It is not a rival to Google—it is not intended to be—and it is not worth a lot of money, but I have an association with search engines. Perhaps I may point out quickly that I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones. This is not one-sided—it is big business versus big business. Small business is not getting a look-in in this Bill at all. That is the problem which I, the noble Lord, Lord Whitty, and some others have with it. My concern about the new clause—perhaps I may say this before moving straight on to Amendment 15, which encapsulates a principle, and I would like to know whether the Minister intends to incorporate this principle into whatever the Government are proposing—is that it will not be subject to any amendment, or discussion and then amendment, by either House. It will be inserted somehow between leaving this House and arriving at another place. Presumably it will be discussed on Second Reading there. I presume that it will then be dealt with during the wash-up. We have no idea what it looks like, and it seems to be an abuse of parliamentary process. I think that that is what I was hearing.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
718 c478 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Access Codes of practice Broadcasting Costs Computer networks Copyright Digital broadcasting Communication Licensing ICT Internet Mobile phones Parliamentary scrutiny Ofcom Performing arts Subscriptions Internet service providers
Legislation
Digital Economy Bill (HL) 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk