Amendments proposed to the Communications Bill - continued | House of Commons |
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Action following review under s. [Changes of control of Channel 5]
Mr Stephen Timms NC40 To move the following Clause:'(1) If, on a review under subsection (2) of section [Changes of control of Channel 5], it appears to OFCOM that the relevant change of control is or would be prejudicial to one or more of the matters mentioned in subsections (4) and (5) of that section, they shall vary the licence in accordance with subsection (2). (2) The variation
(4) A variation under this section must not provide for the inclusion of a new or varied condition in a licence unless the new condition, or the condition as varied, is one which (with any necessary modifications) would have been satisfied by the licence holder throughout the twelve months immediately before the relevant date. (5) In subsection (4) "the relevant date" is the date of the relevant change of control or, if earlier, the date on which OFCOM exercise their powers under this section. (6) A variation of a licence under this section shall be effected by the service of a notice of the variation on the licence holder. (7) OFCOM are not to serve a notice of a variation under this section unless they have given the body on whom it is served a reasonable opportunity, after the publication of the report of the review under section [Changes of control of Channel 5], of making representations to them about the variation. (8) Where, in a case of a proposed change of control, a notice varying a licence under this section is served before the change to which it relates takes place, the variation is not to take effect until the change takes place. (9) A condition included in a licence by a variation under this section may be further varied by OFCOM either
Broadcasting public interest considerations
Mr Andrew Lansley NC1 To move the following Clause:'(1) Section 58 of the Enterprise Act (c. 40) (specified considerations) shall be amended as follows. (2) After subsection (2), there shall be inserted
(2B) The need for, to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable, a plurality of views in broadcasting television and radio services is specified in this section.".'.
Duty to establish and maintain Competition Board
Mr John Whittingdale NC2 To move the following Clause:'(1) It shall be the duty of OFCOM to establish and maintain a committee to be known as "the Competition Board". (2) The Competition Board shall consist of
(4) Before appointing a person to be chairman or another member of the Competition Board, OFCOM must satisfy themselves that he will not have any direct financial or other interest which would be likely prejudicially to affect the carrying out by him of any of his functions as chairman or member of the Competition Board.'.
Functions of the Competition Board
Mr John Whittingdale NC3 To move the following Clause:'(1) The functions conferred on the Competition Board must include, to such an extent and subject to such restrictions and approvals as OFCOM may determine, the carrying out on OFCOM's behalf of
Duty to establish and maintain Economic Panel
Mr John Whittingdale NC4 To move the following Clause:'(1) It shall be the duty of OFCOM, in accordance with the following provisions of this section, to exercise their powers under paragraph 14 of the Schedule to the Office of Communications Act 2002 (c. 11) to establish and maintain a committee to be known as "the Economic Panel" to give advice to OFCOM on economic theory and practice in relation to the exercise of their functions under this Act and, in particular, in relation to the following matters
(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
Function of promoting inclusive design
Mr John Whittingdale NC5 To move the following Clause:'(1) It shall be the duty of OFCOM to take such steps, and to enter into such arrangements, as appear to them calculated
(3) References in this section to electronic communications services includes websites.'.
Duty to publish and meet openness standards
Mr John Whittingdale 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
(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.'.
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