Contributions
2,978 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)There is a danger if we over-create statutory bodies with overlapping responsibilities. I just read out the current statutory functions of the Children’s Commissioner under the…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)As far as I can tell, the user advocacy body proposed in new clause 3 would not have the ability to compel Ofcom either.23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The Bill will require Ofcom to consult people who represent the interests of children. Although not named, it would be astonishing if the first people on that list were not the…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I think the hon. Lady is being a little unfair to the Children’s Commissioners. Dame Rachel de Souza is doing a fantastic job of advocating specifically in the digital sphere. She…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. Clause 168 is a very short and straightforward clause. Ofcom will be required to publish a variety of documents under…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Clause 169 sets out the process for the service of any notice under the Bill, including notices to deal with child sexual exploitation and abuse or terrorism content, information…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Clause 170 repeals the video-sharing platform regime. While the VSP and online safety regimes have similar objectives, the new framework in the Bill will be broader and will apply…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I agree with the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South, that we want to see these provisions brought into force as quickly as possible, for the reasons that she set out. We are…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The clause gives the Secretary of State the power to amend the list of fraudulent offences in section 36 in relation to the duties in relation to fraudulent advertising. These are…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Let me start by addressing the questions the shadow Minister raised about these powers. She used the phrase “free rein” in her speech, but I would not exactly describe it as free…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I am grateful to the hon. Lady for saving DCMS officials a little ink, and electricity for an email. I hope I have addressed the points raised in the debate, and I commend the…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)As new services and functions emerge and evolve, and platforms and users develop new ways to interact online, the regime will need to adapt. Harms online will also continue to…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The shadow Minister, in her first contribution to the debate, introduced the broad purpose of the various clauses in this group, so I do not propose to repeat those points. I…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I have made points on those issues previously. I do not propose to repeat now what I have said before. Question put and agreed to. Clause 190 accordingly ordered to stand part of…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Given that the hon. Lady has raised the point, it is reasonable that she requires more detail. I will follow up in writing on that point. Amendment proposed : 76, in clause 189,…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)It is cross-referenced in subsection (5). The use of the term “aural” in that subsection refers to sound only—what might typically be considered telephony services. “Oral” is…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)As the hon. Member for Pontypridd said, clause 189 sets out various points of definition and interpretation necessary for the Bill to be understood and applied. I turn to the…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Let me start by stating the fact that this Bill, as drafted, rightly has incredibly strong protections for children. The children’s safety duties that we have already debated are…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I do not have in front of me the relevant devolved legislation—I have only the Children Act 2004 directly in front of me—but I assume it is broadly similar. The hon. Member for…23 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fourteenth sitting)As we have heard, the super-complaint process is extremely important for enabling eligible entities representing the interests of users or members of the public to make…21 Jun 2022