UK Parliament / Open data

Saving Gateway Accounts Bill

I thank the Minister for that reply. His argument depends on whether the regulation-making power can ensure that electronic provision is not forced on individuals. I shall look carefully at what he has said to see whether this is adequately dealt with. It is not covered in the existing regulations; the issue is whether the regulations ought to be looked at again. Providers have all sorts of ways of getting details such as e-mail addresses; for example, small print may say, "By giving us your e-mail address, you have allowed us to use your e-mail address". We cannot necessarily rely on providers to be reasonable about the way in which they do this, because the cost advantages are so great. One has only to look at how devious companies are at slipping in a tiny piece of paper with the annual report package that says, "Are you really sure you want to carry on having hard copy?". You have to find that little bit of paper to make sure that you carry on having hard copy. We have to recognise that the corporate world loves electronic communication and that the consumer world is not necessarily ready for it. It is that which needs to be protected. I leave the Minister to contemplate that. In the mean time, I shall read his comments carefully before Report. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 37 withdrawn. Clause 9 agreed.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

709 c361-2GC 

Session

2008-09

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords Grand Committee
Back to top