Digital Economy Bill gets its second Commons reading

• Video and Audio: Second reading: Digital Economy Bill
• Commons Hansard: Second reading: Digital Economy Bill
• Bills before Parliament: Digital Economy Bill
• About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
• Topical Issues: Broadcasting

The Bill

The measure passed its second reading and the remaining Commons stages will be taken some time on Wednesday 7 April.

The Bill - which has already completed its passage through the House of Lords - implements aspects of Government policy on digital media set out in the Digital Britain White Paper published in June 2009.

Key areas:

• imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement
• extends the role of Ofcom to include reporting on communications infrastructure and media content
• allows the Secretary of State to intervene in internet domain name registration
• requires Channel Four to provide public service content on a range of media
• provides more flexibility over the licensing of Channel 3 and Channel 5 services and allows Ofcom to appoint providers of regional and local news
• modifies the licensing regime to facilitate switchover to digital radio
• allows variation of the public service provision in Channel 3 and 5 licences
• provides Ofcom with additional powers in relation to electromagnetic spectrum access
• extends the range of video games that are subject to age-related classification
• makes provision for the regulation of copyright licensing
• includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme

Wash-up

The Bill now goes into what is called the wash-up - the last few days of a Parliament after the election has been announced but before dissolution. All the unfinished business - mainly Bills which have not completed their passage - must be dealt with swiftly. The Government, in co-operation with the Opposition, agree to pass certain Bills. Some might be lost completely, others might be fast-tracked, but in a much-shortened form.