Amendments proposed to the Communications Bill - continued House of Commons

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Duty to publish and meet openness standards
   

Mr John Whittingdale
Mr John Greenway
Mr Andrew Robathan
Mr Mark Hoban

NC6

To move the following Clause:—

    '(1)   It shall be the duty of OFCOM to publish a statement setting out the standards they are proposing to meet with respect to openness in—

      (a) the carrying out of their different functions; and

      (b) providing reasons for any decision made to persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by the matters to which it relates.

    (2)   OFCOM may, if they think fit, at any time revise the statement for the time being in force under this section.

    (3)   It shall be the duty of OFCOM in carrying out their functions to have regard to the statement for the time being in force under this section.

    (4)   Where OFCOM revise a statement under this section, they must publish the revision as soon as practicable.

    (5)   The publication under this section of a statement, or of a revision of a statement, must be in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by the matters to which it relates.

    (6)   OFCOM's report under paragraph 12 of the Schedule to the Office of Communications Act 2002 (c. 11) (annual report) for each financial year must contain a statement by OFCOM summarising the extent to which they have complied during that year with the standards set out under this section.'.


Industry consultation
   

Mr John Whittingdale
Mr John Greenway
Mr Andrew Robathan
Mr Mark Hoban

NC7

To move the following Clause:—

    '(1)   It shall be the duty of OFCOM to establish and maintain effective arrangements for consultation about the carrying out of their functions with—

      (a) suppliers in the markets for the services and facilities in relation to which OFCOM have functions;

      (b) suppliers in the markets for apparatus used in connection with any such services or facilities.

    (2)   The arrangements must include the establishment and maintenance of a panel of persons (in this Act referred to as "the Industry Consultative Panel") with the function of advising OFCOM.

    (3)   It shall be the duty of OFCOM, in the carrying out of their functions, to consider and, to such extent as they think appropriate, to have regard to the views given to OFCOM by the Industry Consultative Panel.

    (4)   The members of the Industry Panel shall be appointed by OFCOM and shall comprise a chairman and such other members as OFCOM may determine.'.


Duty to establish and maintain National Advisory Committees
   

Mr Simon Thomas

NC8

To move the following Clause:—

    '(1)   It shall be the duty of OFCOM to establish and maintain National Advisory Committees for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    (2)   The Chair and membership of these committees shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.

    (3)   In making such appointments in respect of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State shall seek nominations from the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively.

    (4)   The National Advisory Committees may review all of OFCOM's work in respect of their individual territories.

    (5)   The National Advisory Committees may issue such recommendations to OFCOM or the Secretary of State with respect to their territories as they see fit.

    (6)   The National Advisory Committees shall produce an annual report on their activities.'.


ORDER OF THE HOUSE [3rd DECEMBER 2002]

That the following provisions shall apply to the Communications Bill—

Committal

(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee.

Proceedings in Standing Committee

(2) Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on 6th February 2003.

(3) The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.

Consideration and Third Reading

(4) Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.

(5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on the day on which proceedings on consideration are commenced.

(6) Sessional Order B (programming committees) made on 28th June 2001 shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading.

Other proceedings

(7) Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments or any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed.


 
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