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Select Committee on European Legislation First Report
THE INFORMATION SOCIETY: NEW POLICY PRIORITIES |
12.1 We considered a Commission Communication entitled Europe's way to the information society -- an action plan on 19 October 1994[22]. That identified four areas on which work was required in order to develop the information society in the European Union:
(b) networks, basic services, applications and content;
(c) social, societal and cultural aspects; and
(d) promotion of the information society.
12.2 The draft document now before us is a follow-up to this Communication. As no text is available we must rely on the information provided by the Government. The document
12.3 In his Explanatory Memorandum (dated 7 October) the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Science and Technology at the Department of Trade and Industry (Mr Ian Taylor) describes the draft Resolution as recording that good progress has been made in implementing measures set out in the Action Plan, which is to be updated. It urges Member States to ensure consistent and effective transposition of the telecommunications reform package within the agreed time scales and, together with the Commission, to ensure that the opportunities offered by the information society are enjoyed regardless of location.
12.4 According to the Minister, the Council Resolution calls on the Commission to:
-- look into the problem of the distribution of offensive material over electronic networks;
-- present a proposal for a consistent European measure to ensure integrity and authenticity of electronically transmitted documents;
-- analyse potential technical and legal barriers to the development of new information society services, and to submit proposals for an European initiative to stimulate use of information and communication technologies, in particular by SMEs;
-- analyse the impact of information and communications technologies on the competitiveness of selected industry sectors and present concrete proposals for the dissemination of 'best practice', in particular for SMEs;
-- intensify international co-operation, in particular to assist the accession countries in their preparation for the information society."
12.5 The Minister says that the Government broadly welcomes the draft Resolution, which should help to raise the profile of information society issues.
12.6 The draft Resolution was adopted unanimously at the Industry Council on 8 October. In a letter to us (dated 14 October 1996) the Minister explains that he considered that it was in the UK's interests to support the Resolution, although there had been no opportunity for us to consider it. Conclusion
12.7 The speedy adoption and effective implementation of the regulatory framework for a liberalised telecommunications market is necessary if the EU deadline of 1998 is to be met and it is to hold its own in a highly competitive area of global industrial innovation and market opportunity. Work to ensure that the fast-expanding potential of the information society is made widely available is to be welcomed and it is also important that steps are taken to respond to public concern that the distribution of offensive material. 12.8 No text is yet available, and we ask the Government to provide it as soon as it is available. In the absence of a text we are not clearing the document. 22. (15486) 8791/94; see HC 48-xxvi (1993-94), paragraph 39 Back 23. (17467) 9795/96 ADD2; see paragraph 2 of this Report. Back 24. (16446) 9721/96; see HC 70-xxvi (1994-95), paragraph 13 (1 November 1995). Back 25. (17086) 5883/96; see HC 51-xvii (1995-96), paragraph 12 (8 May 1996). Back 26. (17226) 7597/96; see HC 51-xxiii (1995-96), paragraph 10 (26 June 1996). Back |
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| © Parliamentary copyright 1996 | Prepared 12th November 1996 |