Amendments proposed to the Office of Communications Bill [Lords], As Amended - continued	House of Commons
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Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

20

Page     11,     line     6     [Schedule],     leave out 'and at such rates'.

   

Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

21

Page     11,     line     7     [Schedule],     at end insert—

    '(3)   The rate of interest on any sums advanced under this paragraph shall be the same as the lowest rate determined by the Treasury under section 5 of the National Loans Act 1968 (c. 13) in respect of similar loans made out of the National Loans Fund on the day the advance is made.'.

   

Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

10

Page     11,     line     18     [Schedule],     at end insert 'and

(c)   the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons.'.

   

Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

11

Page     11,     line     34     [Schedule],     at end insert 'and such reports shall be referred to the relevant Select Committee or Select Committees of each House and debated by each House of Parliament.'.

   

Mr Simon Thomas
Peter Wishart
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
Mr Alec Salmond

17

Page     11,     line     34     [Schedule],     at end insert—

    '(4)   As soon as possible after the end of each financial year, OFCOM shall also prepare and send to the National Assembly of Wales and the Scottish Parliament a report of how OFCOM is ensuring that Welsh and Scottish interests are being adequately met.'.

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Mr Simon Thomas
Peter Wishart
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
Mr Alec Salmond

18

Page     12,     line     9     [Schedule],     at end insert—

    '(1A)   OFCOM shall establish—

(a)	a Welsh Advisory Committee which shall advise OFCOM on the carrying out of its functions in Wales, and

(b)	a Scottish Advisory Committee which shall advise OFCOM on the carrying out of its functions in Scotland;

and in appointing these committees, OFCOM shall consult the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament.'.

   

Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

12

Page     12,     line     25     [Schedule],     at end insert—

'Consumer Panel

14A(1)

It shall be the duty of OFCOM to establish a Consumer Panel of 10 members, comprising persons who are neither members of nor employees of OFCOM.

(2)	Members will be appointed for four year terms and shall serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

(3)	Paragraphs 17, 18, and 19 of the Schedule shall apply to the proceedings of the Consumer Panel, but paragraphs 15 and 16 shall not apply and the Consumer Panel shall make other such arrangements for regulating their own procedure as they think fit.

(4)	The Consumer Panel shall—

(a)   research consumers' views and concerns on issues relating to OFCOM's functions,

(b)   publish its advice, conclusions and reports to OFCOM,

(c)   take due account in its work of the views of consumers with special needs, including those on low incomes or with disabilities.

(5)	The Consumer Panel shall be funded by means of grants from OFCOM.

(6)	The Consumer Panel shall make an annual report of its proceedings and financial position to each House of Parliament.'.

   

Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

13

Page     12,     line     25     [Schedule],     at end insert—

    '14B   It shall be a duty of OFCOM to establish a Radio Committee to provide advice to OFCOM about, and carry out functions in relation to, the radio sector.'.

   

Mr Simon Thomas
Peter Wishart
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
Mr Alec Salmond

19

Page     12,     line     25     [Schedule],     at end insert—

    '(5)   The membership of every committee established by OFCOM must contain at least one representative for Wales and one representative for Scotland; and in appointing these representatives, OFCOM shall consult with the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament.'.

   

Mr Tim Yeo
Mr John Greenway
Miss Anne McIntosh
Mr Laurence Robertson

20

Page     12,     line     25     [Schedule],     at end insert—

'Deregulation Committee

    14C   It shall be a duty of OFCOM to establish a Deregulation Committee to provide advice to OFCOM about how relevant proposals about the regulation of communications could be modified to deregulate the communications industry.'.

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Prepared 4 Mar 2002