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Amendments to the Office of Communications Bill [HL]

Office of Communications Bill [HL]


AMENDMENTS
TO BE MOVED
IN COMMITTEE


 

Clause 1

 

THE VISCOUNT FALKLAND
THE LORD McNALLY

Page 1, line 6, at end insert ", at least one of whom shall represent the interests of the public and sit on the Consumer Panel"
Page 1, line 8, at end insert "who shall have no financial or other interest in the communications sector"
Page 1, line 10, after "determine" insert "with due political impartiality"
 

THE LORD MORRIS OF MANCHESTER

Page 1, line 11, at end insert—
"(   )  The Secretary of State shall exercise his powers of appointment under subsection (3)(a) and (b) with a view to securing that at least one of the members of OFCOM is familiar with the special requirements and circumstances of individuals who are disabled and individuals of pensionable age."
 

Clause 2

 

THE LORD MORRIS OF MANCHESTER

Page 2, line 36, at end insert—
"(   )  In fulfilment of the functions set out in subsection (1), OFCOM shall have particular regard to the need (subject to subsection (2)) to protect and promote the interests of consumers in relation to communications services and apparatus wherever appropriate
(a)  by promoting fair and effective competition in the provision of those services; and
(b)  by making proper provision to meet the needs of—
(i)  individuals who are disabled or chronically sick;
(ii)  individuals of pensionable age;
(iii)  individuals with low incomes; and
(iv)  individuals residing in rural areas,
  for full access to these services and apparatus."
 

Clause 5

 

THE LORD GORDON OF STRATHBLANE

Page 5, line 18, at end insert—
"(e)  the Board of Governors of the BBC"
 

Schedule

 

THE LORD MORRIS OF MANCHESTER

Page 11, line 38, at end insert—
 

"Accessible Information Policy

    "(   )   OFCOM shall—
(a)  prepare and publish a policy (its "accessible information policy") for the purpose of ensuring that all information relating to its activities under this Act made available to non-disabled people is made available to disabled people in accessible formats and via accessible communication methods within a reasonable time and in ways which are determined after taking account of their disabilities and any preferences expressed by them;
(b)  implement its accessible information policy; and
(c)  publicise its accessible information policy to disabled people.
    (   )   "Information" includes personal correspondence, annual reports, information about OFCOM's functions under this Act, consultation documents, website information and any other type of information which is made available to the public.
    (   )   "Disabled people" has the same meaning as in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c. 50).
    (   )   "Accessible formats and communication methods" means information provided in large print, in braille, in Moon, on tape, on disc or in another electronic format, on video, in easy English, communication via text-phone, Typetalk, British Sign Language, the deafblind manual alphabet or using any other format or communication method which is accessible to disabled people who have difficulty reading standard print or accessing spoken communication."

 
 
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©Parliamentary copyright 2001
25 October 2001