My Lords, the Minister kindly accepted my previous amendment, which limited the purpose for which technical obligations could be imposed. Dare I hope that he will be equally as receptive to my amendment in this group? Amendment 78 seeks to ensure that Clause 11 is genuinely used only as a...

My Lords, the Minister kindly accepted my previous amendment, which limited the purpose for which technical obligations could be imposed. Dare I hope that he will be equally as receptive to my amendment in this group? Amendment 78 seeks to ensure that Clause 11 is genuinely used only as a...

My Lords, this is an interesting idea which, theoretically anyhow, we should consider very seriously. I hope the Minister will do so.

My Lords, this is an interesting idea which, theoretically anyhow, we should consider very seriously. I hope the Minister will do so.

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendment 120A. First, I apologise for the slightly artificial introduction of this amendment at this point in the proceedings. The use of a paving amendment, Amendment 120A, at this juncture is simply a result of the desire of the signatories to the amendment...

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendment 120A. First, I apologise for the slightly artificial introduction of this amendment at this point in the proceedings. The use of a paving amendment, Amendment 120A, at this juncture is simply a result of the desire of the signatories to the amendment...

87: Clause 13, page 15, line 16, at end insert— "( ) that those provisions do not have a significant adverse effect on legitimate users;"

87: Clause 13, page 15, line 16, at end insert— "( ) that those provisions do not have a significant adverse effect on legitimate users;"

I add my support to the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam. As I said earlier when I made a request to include quality as a requirement, we all have an interest in the maintenance of impartial news programmes. Plurality, which we believe in, must go hand in hand...

I add my support to the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam. As I said earlier when I made a request to include quality as a requirement, we all have an interest in the maintenance of impartial news programmes. Plurality, which we believe in, must go hand in hand...

My Lords, I am not sure I can agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Bonham-Carter. After all, Channel 4, although publicly owned, is unlike the BBC, not publicly funded. I would therefore have expected that, in the current economic climate, where all media dependent on advertising revenue are going through...

My Lords, I am not sure I can agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Bonham-Carter. After all, Channel 4, although publicly owned, is unlike the BBC, not publicly funded. I would therefore have expected that, in the current economic climate, where all media dependent on advertising revenue are going through...

My Lords, it is time for me to wind up. This has been a very serious debate and I thank all noble Lords who have taken part. I thank particularly the Conservative Benches, both Front and Back, for their support for the amendment. It is greatly valued. The debate between...

My Lords, it is time for me to wind up. This has been a very serious debate and I thank all noble Lords who have taken part. I thank particularly the Conservative Benches, both Front and Back, for their support for the amendment. It is greatly valued. The debate between...

54: Clause 8, page 10, line 35, at end insert— "( ) that the code makes provision to ensure subscribers do not incur any cost in meeting their obligations under section 124A;"

54: Clause 8, page 10, line 35, at end insert— "( ) that the code makes provision to ensure subscribers do not incur any cost in meeting their obligations under section 124A;"

My Lords, I do not have any problem with the sentiments behind the amendments. The only problem is that if those points are listed, it would look as though that is what the Government or Ofcom should give priority to, but they are only three of a myriad number of...

My Lords, I do not have any problem with the sentiments behind the amendments. The only problem is that if those points are listed, it would look as though that is what the Government or Ofcom should give priority to, but they are only three of a myriad number of...

My Lords, I absolutely agree with what has been said so far. This is one of the greatest eye-openers. As we have proceeded with this Bill—particularly as it has run parallel to the deliberations of the Select Committee which the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, is chairing so ably—we have come...

My Lords, I absolutely agree with what has been said so far. This is one of the greatest eye-openers. As we have proceeded with this Bill—particularly as it has run parallel to the deliberations of the Select Committee which the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, is chairing so ably—we have come...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend on the amendment—I am now rowing back frantically—on a very important issue. It is so important, in fact, that the Select Committee on Communications is currently engaged in an inquiry on precisely this—the digital switchover—although a number of reasons have been adduced as...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend on the amendment—I am now rowing back frantically—on a very important issue. It is so important, in fact, that the Select Committee on Communications is currently engaged in an inquiry on precisely this—the digital switchover—although a number of reasons have been adduced as...

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 the chairman of the Select Committee on Communications which made the proposal that the Government are acting upon, so I do not intend to jump overboard at this point. I believe it is a sensible proposal, and I will continue to support it. I understand what...

My Lords, I am the chairman of the Select Committee on Communications which made the proposal that the Government are acting upon, so I do not intend to jump overboard at this point. I believe it is a sensible proposal, and I will continue to support it. I understand what...

The noble Lord, Lord De Mauley, made his point extremely eloquently, and it leaves me fairly conflicted. My experience of 20 years at Anglia Television makes me realise how difficult it is to create a financial model that works in this area. I thought long and hard about something that...

The noble Lord, Lord De Mauley, made his point extremely eloquently, and it leaves me fairly conflicted. My experience of 20 years at Anglia Television makes me realise how difficult it is to create a financial model that works in this area. I thought long and hard about something that...

My Lords, I commend the amendments, which are a very constructive way of seeking further assurance from the Minister. Indeed, they very much reflect the concerns that I expressed from these Benches in the Clause 30 stand part debate in Committee. Assurances about the future of analogue radio in particular...

My Lords, I commend the amendments, which are a very constructive way of seeking further assurance from the Minister. Indeed, they very much reflect the concerns that I expressed from these Benches in the Clause 30 stand part debate in Committee. Assurances about the future of analogue radio in particular...