My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, for being more explicit in the note which he delivered to the department than he has been in proposing the amendment. We know exactly the point at which he is driving, although we are going to ask him to...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, for being more explicit in the note which he delivered to the department than he has been in proposing the amendment. We know exactly the point at which he is driving, although we are going to ask him to...

The Government accepted an amendment tabled in Committee by the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, when he sought to ensure that all the directors of a registry were not unnecessarily replaced by the manager. We agree that some directors might be on the side of the manager and that therefore it...

The Government accepted an amendment tabled in Committee by the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, when he sought to ensure that all the directors of a registry were not unnecessarily replaced by the manager. We agree that some directors might be on the side of the manager and that therefore it...

24: Clause 20, page 26, line 16, leave out "any" and insert "one or more"

24: Clause 20, page 26, line 16, leave out "any" and insert "one or more"

My Lords, this group of clarifying amendments is intended to tidy up drafting and correct unintended errors in this clause. Amendment 27 has been inserted because "copyright licence" is now defined for new Section 116B by Amendment 31. The wording deleted by this amendment is therefore superfluous. Amendment 35 makes...

My Lords, this group of clarifying amendments is intended to tidy up drafting and correct unintended errors in this clause. Amendment 27 has been inserted because "copyright licence" is now defined for new Section 116B by Amendment 31. The wording deleted by this amendment is therefore superfluous. Amendment 35 makes...

That is a good try by the noble Lord. Here I am dealing with technical amendments and there he is opening up the whole operation of wash-up. Let us be clear about wash-up—and I hear what the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, said just a few moments ago. I cannot really...

That is a good try by the noble Lord. Here I am dealing with technical amendments and there he is opening up the whole operation of wash-up. Let us be clear about wash-up—and I hear what the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, said just a few moments ago. I cannot really...

27: Clause 43, page 52, line 14, leave out "(within the meaning of section 116)"

27: Clause 43, page 52, line 14, leave out "(within the meaning of section 116)"

My Lords, we are in somewhat deep waters here. However, if Second Reading follows on after one House has completed all stages, then the issues would be considered.

My Lords, we are in somewhat deep waters here. However, if Second Reading follows on after one House has completed all stages, then the issues would be considered.

My Lords, what is the role of a Minister when friends fall out in the Opposition? The noble Lord, Lord Fowler, has articulated an important case that emerged from his committee and which we have taken seriously. It is not a question of falling out among friends but of different...

My Lords, what is the role of a Minister when friends fall out in the Opposition? The noble Lord, Lord Fowler, has articulated an important case that emerged from his committee and which we have taken seriously. It is not a question of falling out among friends but of different...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who have spoken in this short debate, particularly the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Manchester and my noble friend Lord Gordon, for identifying the weaknesses of the amendment and the nature of the issue on which the Government need to...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who have spoken in this short debate, particularly the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Manchester and my noble friend Lord Gordon, for identifying the weaknesses of the amendment and the nature of the issue on which the Government need to...

My Lords, I wanted to indicate that. If I did not make it clear enough in my reply, we see FM continuing, but we also see the kind of criteria that will be necessary before we begin the process of significant switchover. As I have indicated, the Government will move...

My Lords, I wanted to indicate that. If I did not make it clear enough in my reply, we see FM continuing, but we also see the kind of criteria that will be necessary before we begin the process of significant switchover. As I have indicated, the Government will move...

My Lords, I am grateful to noble Lords who have contributed to this short debate, and particularly to the noble Baroness for moving the amendment. I apologise for missing her first two or three sentences. However, I am well aware of her concerns in this area, and we looked at...

My Lords, I am grateful to noble Lords who have contributed to this short debate, and particularly to the noble Baroness for moving the amendment. I apologise for missing her first two or three sentences. However, I am well aware of her concerns in this area, and we looked at...

My Lords, the Government are pleased to accept this amendment and the other three to which the noble Baroness has spoken.

My Lords, the Government are pleased to accept this amendment and the other three to which the noble Baroness has spoken.

131: Clause 26, page 33, line 22, at end insert— "( ) OFCOM must publish every report under this section— (a) as soon as practicable after they send it to the Secretary of State, and (b) in such manner as they consider appropriate."

131: Clause 26, page 33, line 22, at end insert— "( ) OFCOM must publish every report under this section— (a) as soon as practicable after they send it to the Secretary of State, and (b) in such manner as they consider appropriate."

My Lords, we discussed these issues earlier this afternoon. This amendment requires Ofcom to publish each report prepared on the public teletext service. Ofcom will need to publish each report as soon as practicable after submitting it to the Secretary of State. I have been challenged on how quickly that...

My Lords, we discussed these issues earlier this afternoon. This amendment requires Ofcom to publish each report prepared on the public teletext service. Ofcom will need to publish each report as soon as practicable after submitting it to the Secretary of State. I have been challenged on how quickly that...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords because their comments would have been made from this Dispatch Box if they had not been articulated so ably by all those who have spoken. I shall dwell a little longer on the issue because the noble Baroness made one or...

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords because their comments would have been made from this Dispatch Box if they had not been articulated so ably by all those who have spoken. I shall dwell a little longer on the issue because the noble Baroness made one or...

My Lords, I was sitting here blissfully enjoying the unanimity being expressed in all parts of the House. My noble friend Lord Gordon had a slight anxiety about whether the amendment was necessary. He is absolutely right that a condition requiring impartiality could already be imposed by Ofcom under the...

My Lords, I was sitting here blissfully enjoying the unanimity being expressed in all parts of the House. My noble friend Lord Gordon had a slight anxiety about whether the amendment was necessary. He is absolutely right that a condition requiring impartiality could already be imposed by Ofcom under the...

67: Clause 9, page 12, line 15, at end insert— "But this is subject to any direction by the Secretary of State under subsection (3A). (3A) The Secretary of State may direct that subsection (3) no longer applies, with effect from the date given in the direction."

67: Clause 9, page 12, line 15, at end insert— "But this is subject to any direction by the Secretary of State under subsection (3A). (3A) The Secretary of State may direct that subsection (3) no longer applies, with effect from the date given in the direction."

My Lords, that is a rather difficult question. As the noble Lord will readily appreciate, the Government will adopt a judicious approach to these matters. We have accepted the fundamental argument on transparency that was presented in Committee. We have also accepted the Committee’s argument that quarterly reports might readily...

My Lords, that is a rather difficult question. As the noble Lord will readily appreciate, the Government will adopt a judicious approach to these matters. We have accepted the fundamental argument on transparency that was presented in Committee. We have also accepted the Committee’s argument that quarterly reports might readily...

My Lords, I will speak also to government Amendments 72 and 77. The amendments deal with reports required of Ofcom, or which might be required of it under these provisions. In Committee, there were calls from several noble Lords for reports from Ofcom to the Secretary of State to be...

My Lords, I will speak also to government Amendments 72 and 77. The amendments deal with reports required of Ofcom, or which might be required of it under these provisions. In Committee, there were calls from several noble Lords for reports from Ofcom to the Secretary of State to be...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Young, for introducing the amendment in a largely constructive way, although she referred to an "impasse", which is not quite the word that I would have used. I hope that I can reassure her that, far from there being deadlock,...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Young, for introducing the amendment in a largely constructive way, although she referred to an "impasse", which is not quite the word that I would have used. I hope that I can reassure her that, far from there being deadlock,...