Clause 3 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 4 to 10 agreed to. Clause 11 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 12 to 14 agreed to. Clause 15 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 16 to 19 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to. Clause 20, discussed with new clause 2 (Digital rights to listed events) agreed to. Clause 21, discussed with new clause 8 (Regulations about coverage of listed events), agreed to. Clause 22, discussed with Government amendments, new clause 6 (Sporting and other events of national interest), and new clause 7 (Consultees for sporting and other events of national interest). Clauses 22 and 23 agreed to as amended. Clause 24 agreed to. Clause 25 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 26 and 27 agreed to. Schedule 2 agreed to, as amended. Committee adjourned. Written evidence reported to the House.

Clause 3 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 4 to 10 agreed to. Clause 11 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 12 to 14 agreed to. Clause 15 agreed to, as amended. Clauses 16 to 19 agreed to. Schedule 1 agreed to. Clause 20, discussed with new clause 2 (Digital rights to...

Digital Economy Bill (HL). Lords Committee stage sixth day. Clauses 19 to 30 agreed to, with clauses 19, 20, 21 and 28 agreed to as amended.

Digital Economy Bill (HL). Lords Committee stage sixth day. Clauses 19 to 30 agreed to, with clauses 19, 20, 21 and 28 agreed to as amended.

231: Clause 21, page 23, leave out lines 5 to 8

231: Clause 21, page 23, leave out lines 5 to 8

My Lords, again, these are probing amendments to clarify Channel 4’s updated remit with regard to film. Clause 21 establishes that Channel 4 must participate in distributing films by means of electronic communications networks. Does this mean that it is compulsory for Channel 4 to invest in streaming films over...

My Lords, again, these are probing amendments to clarify Channel 4’s updated remit with regard to film. Clause 21 establishes that Channel 4 must participate in distributing films by means of electronic communications networks. Does this mean that it is compulsory for Channel 4 to invest in streaming films over...

My Lords, one of the most comfortable factors about speaking for the Government at the Dispatch Box is that one always knows that there will be some noble Lord who knows a great deal more about the issues than one does oneself, speaks with greater authority and is likely to...

My Lords, one of the most comfortable factors about speaking for the Government at the Dispatch Box is that one always knows that there will be some noble Lord who knows a great deal more about the issues than one does oneself, speaks with greater authority and is likely to...

I thank the noble Lord for his remarks and the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam, for his reassurance that there will be no downgrading. This was a probing amendment. It was not there for any other purpose. There was just one small inconsistency by the Minister. If it is correct to...

I thank the noble Lord for his remarks and the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam, for his reassurance that there will be no downgrading. This was a probing amendment. It was not there for any other purpose. There was just one small inconsistency by the Minister. If it is correct to...

The noble Baroness is right that that is how Channel 4 operates, but I am trying to emphasise that we are not about the business of changing Channel 4’s position at all. I want to meet the anxiety on the Lib Dem Benches and those of the Official Opposition. That...

The noble Baroness is right that that is how Channel 4 operates, but I am trying to emphasise that we are not about the business of changing Channel 4’s position at all. I want to meet the anxiety on the Lib Dem Benches and those of the Official Opposition. That...

Before the Minister sits down, I offer some reassurance to the noble Baroness, Lady Bonham-Carter, and give an example to the noble Lord, Lord Howard of Rising, of why the Government are creating a useful situation. I declare an interest as deputy chairman of Channel 4. During the four years...

Before the Minister sits down, I offer some reassurance to the noble Baroness, Lady Bonham-Carter, and give an example to the noble Lord, Lord Howard of Rising, of why the Government are creating a useful situation. I declare an interest as deputy chairman of Channel 4. During the four years...

My Lords, I start by reassuring the noble Lord that there is no intention at all of downgrading the quality of programmes for which Channel 4 is responsible. The amendment, which deletes the phrase "taken as a whole", arguably requires all such content to appeal to the tastes and interests...

My Lords, I start by reassuring the noble Lord that there is no intention at all of downgrading the quality of programmes for which Channel 4 is responsible. The amendment, which deletes the phrase "taken as a whole", arguably requires all such content to appeal to the tastes and interests...

Is it the case that the PSB that the new Channel 4 remit is being asked to provide on the non-linear channels can be produced in-house, which goes against the spirit of the whole concept of Channel 4, which is that it is a publishing house that supports independent production...

Is it the case that the PSB that the new Channel 4 remit is being asked to provide on the non-linear channels can be produced in-house, which goes against the spirit of the whole concept of Channel 4, which is that it is a publishing house that supports independent production...

My Lords, I hope that I am not suffering under any illusion as regards this being a probing amendment to identify the position relating to C4C and Channel 4. I make the obvious point that C4C can, and already does, provide a wide range of films, on Channel 4 and...

My Lords, I hope that I am not suffering under any illusion as regards this being a probing amendment to identify the position relating to C4C and Channel 4. I make the obvious point that C4C can, and already does, provide a wide range of films, on Channel 4 and...

I thank the Minister. As he said, it is a probing amendment. The point of it is that Channel 4 should be allowed, and not compelled, to show these films. If they are compelled, it may put too great a burden on them. I am not sure whether the Minister...

I thank the Minister. As he said, it is a probing amendment. The point of it is that Channel 4 should be allowed, and not compelled, to show these films. If they are compelled, it may put too great a burden on them. I am not sure whether the Minister...

229: Clause 19, page 21, line 33, leave out "or a county court"

229: Clause 19, page 21, line 33, leave out "or a county court"

This is another amendment where I hope I am being helpful in order that something inadvertent does not happen. It was pointed out to me that should there be an appeal and the courts end up taking an interest, the issue will probably have got quite complex and could be...

This is another amendment where I hope I am being helpful in order that something inadvertent does not happen. It was pointed out to me that should there be an appeal and the courts end up taking an interest, the issue will probably have got quite complex and could be...

My Lords, as I understand it, the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, is concerned that the instances where the Secretary of State may have to apply to the court for directions are too serious to fall within the jurisdiction of the county court. First, I should point out that the amendment...

My Lords, as I understand it, the noble Earl, Lord Erroll, is concerned that the instances where the Secretary of State may have to apply to the court for directions are too serious to fall within the jurisdiction of the county court. First, I should point out that the amendment...

I thank the Minister very much for that extremely comprehensive reply, which answers most of the questions. I see his point about the anomaly; that could be tidied up at Third Reading, should it be necessary. That is exactly what Third Reading is for, and I am sorry we missed...

I thank the Minister very much for that extremely comprehensive reply, which answers most of the questions. I see his point about the anomaly; that could be tidied up at Third Reading, should it be necessary. That is exactly what Third Reading is for, and I am sorry we missed...

My Lords, I have tabled this terribly simple amendment to help the Minister have more flexibility. As it reads at the moment, should the manager have to go in and sort things out, there is provision for the registry’s directors to be prevented from exercising any of those functions. One...

My Lords, I have tabled this terribly simple amendment to help the Minister have more flexibility. As it reads at the moment, should the manager have to go in and sort things out, there is provision for the registry’s directors to be prevented from exercising any of those functions. One...