Contributions
2,978 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)Once again, the Government recognise the intent behind these amendments and support the concept that people with multiple intersecting characteristics, or those who are members of…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)Clearly, we are legislating here to cover, as I think we said this morning, 25,000 different companies. They all have different organisational structures, different personnel and…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)I am anxious about time, but I will respond to that point because it is an important one. The hon. Lady is right to say that clause 10(6)(h) looks to identify the risks associated…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)Yes, and that is why governance is addressed in the clause as drafted. But the one thing that will really change the way the leadership of these companies thinks about this issue…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)As I say, clause 10 already references the governance arrangements, but my strong view is that the only thing that will make these companies sit up and take notice—the only thing…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)I agree with the hon. Lady that, as I said a second ago, those platforms are not doing enough to protect children. There is no question about that at all, and I think there is…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)As the hon. Lady said, we discussed in the groupings for clauses 8 and 9 quite a few of the broad principles relating to children, but I will none the less touch on some of those…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)There is a “but” coming. We think that, in all cases apart from one, the Bill as drafted already addresses the matter. In the case of amendment 14, the risk assessment duties as…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Rees, and I am glad that this afternoon’s Committee proceedings are being broadcast to the world. Before we adjourned…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)All the companies have to do the risk assessment, for example for the “illegal” duties, where they are required to by the Bill. For the “illegal” duties, that is all of them; they…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)To reassure the hon. Member on the point about doing the risk assessment, all the companies have to do the risk assessment. That obligation is there. Ofcom can request any risk…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)Of course, Ofcom is able to request any of them if it wants to—if it feels that to be necessary—but receiving 25,000 risk assessments, including from tiny companies that basically…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)The shadow Minister has already touched on the effect of these clauses: clause 6 sets out duties applying to user-to-user services in a proportionate and risk-based way; clause 7…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)I have not heard that idea suggested. I will think about it. I do not want to respond off the cuff, but I will give consideration to the proposal. Henry VIII powers, which are…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)We are in agreement on that. I can confirm that the Government have tabled amendments 116 to 126 —the Committee will consider them in due course—to place equivalent Scottish…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 5 simply provides an overview of part 3 of the Bill. Several good points have been raised in the course of this discussion. I will defer replying to the substance of a…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)I am sure we will discuss this topic a bit more as the Bill progresses. I will make a few points on disinformation. The first is that, non-legislatively, the Government have a…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)Let me briefly speak to the purpose of these clauses and then respond to some of the points made in the debate. As the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Pontypridd, touched on,…07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)The grouping sheet I have here suggests that clause 7 stand part and clauses 21 and 22 stand part are in this grouping, but if I have misunderstood—07 Jun 2022HANSARDOnline Safety Bill (Fifth sitting)Thank you, Sir Roger; it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship once again. It may be appropriate to take this opportunity to congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member…07 Jun 2022