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Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, we believe that the government amendments address a number of the concerns raised by the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, and the noble Viscount, Lord Bridgeman. The Secretary of State will be required to consider the likely effect of an authorisation on a number of groups, including authors, members of licensing bodies, copyright owners, and licensees and potential licensees before making a decision on whether to grant an authorisation for extended licensing. The Secretary of State will also have to consider the extent to which the body already represents rights holders in the sector for which it is seeking an authorisation. We may not have addressed every dot and comma of noble Lords’ concerns, but we have tried to respond to them genuinely, and I am reliably informed that the consultation on which the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, sought an assurance will take place. On the point made by my noble friend Lord Howarth, we believe that we will be able to achieve the progress of the Bill. I do not want to hypothesise about a range of issues. To clarify the wash-up situation, I have been advised by someone very experienced that the Bill goes through all the stages—it is just in a telescoped manner. I cannot really say any more on that. I hope that in the light of the assurances I have given, and the Government’s amendments, the noble Lords will feel able to withdraw their amendment.