here - United Kingdom Parliament

75WS
Written Ministerial Statements
1 DECEMBER 2010
Written Ministerial Statements
76WS
pleased to see that these conclusions recognise the importance
of digital technologies as one of the key economic drivers
for Europe’s future prosperity;
welcome the emphasis on the re-use of public sector data as
a potential driver of private-sector led innovation; and
welcome the “active and healthy ageing” EIP pilot that will
be jointly developed by DG-INFSO and DG-SANCO (the
latter being the part of the Commission that deals with
health issues).
4. European Broadband: investing in digitally driven growth—
Adoption of Council conclusions
The last substantive item on the agenda is the adoption
of the Council conclusions that specifically cover the
European broadband strategy (EM 13874/10). This strategy
is another component of the Commission’s “Broadband
Package”.
The importance of broadband roll-out is noted under
item 1 above and I plan to make the following interventions
during the planned discussion on these conclusions:
HMG welcomes the adoption of these conclusions and hope
that they will be taken note of by member states and the
Commission to aid them in the rollout of super-fast broadband;
The UK recognises the value of these conclusions and will
shortly publish a UK-wide broadband strategy, detailing
HMG’s plan to ensure every UK citizen is able to access
broadband; and
The EU broadband objectives are challenging, but by working
together, and alongside the private sector, we can achieve
them.
I will inform the House of the outcome of the discussion
on this, and the preceding item in my post-Council
statement.
This concludes the formal substantive business items
for Council. However, there are three items that are
covered by “Any Other Business”.
They are:
A. A report on the state of development of roaming
services within the European Union—Presentation by the
Commission.
This item will be coupled with a discussion over
lunch preceding the Council. These items will be centred
around the Commission’s recent Interim Report on the
State of the Roaming Market (EM11711/10)
During the lunch, Ministers have been asked to consider
and discuss three questions. In summary they cover
issues relating to stimulating competition, the impact of
technological change and the introduction of a price
cap on the retail price of data while roaming.
During my lunch time discussion and any debate
following the presentation from the Commission, I intend
to make the following points:
we look forward to proposals from the Commission on how
they intend to deal with the roaming issue when the current
regulation expires in June 2012;
we fully support the call by the Commissioner for a functioning
single market in mobile roaming services; especially with
respect to data (which is of increasing importance for EU
citizens); and
we would welcome high-level but detailed discussions between
all interested parties on this issue to try—possibly using the
same format as the recent meeting on net neutrality—and
find a way forward that benefits consumers but also does not
undermine competition, investment or innovation in the
mobile sector.
B. Internet Governance Forum (IGF)—Briefing by the
Commission and the Presidency.
I do not plan an intervention on this item but if the
opportunity arises, I will reaffirm HMG’s policy lines
that:
supports the multi-stakeholder approach on internet governance;
welcomes the agreements reached at the recent ITU
plenipotentiary; and
anticipates a positive outcome to a vote in the UN General
Assembly later in December to extend the mandate of the
IGF for another five years.
C. The next presidency’ programme and events—Briefing
by the Hungarian delegation
This item is a presentation from the Hungarian delegation
on their plans once they assume the presidency of the
EU (1 January 2011 to 30 June 2011).
I do not plan an intervention for this item but you
may wish to note that my officials are in the final stages
of planning a bilateral meeting with Hungarian officials
so that we are able to capitalise upon any opportunities
that may be presented by Hungary assuming the presidency.
COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
London Reforms and the Localism Bill
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I am today announcing
a new settlement for London which includes a package
of measures to be included in the forthcoming localism
Bill.
These far reaching proposals include measures which
will significantly devolve power to the Greater London
Authority, London boroughs and beyond and they will
streamline the plethora of agencies in London’s public
sector landscape. They are based on proposals put
forward by the Mayor and London boroughs themselves.
We have listened to key players in the capital and
responded to their ideas.
The measures include:
The devolution of executive powers over housing investment
from the Homes and Communities Agency to the GLA so
that there is more decentralised control over housing investment
decisions in the capital.
The abolition of the London Development Agency, with its
city-wide roles on regeneration and management of European
funding to be transferred to the GLA so that the mayor is
directly accountable.
New powers for the Mayor of London to create Mayoral
Development Corporations to focus regeneration where it is
needed most, such as to help secure East London’s Olympic
legacy, in partnership with London boroughs.
London boroughs will be given greater control over key local
planning decisions that affect their local communities. The
mayor will only consider the largest planning applications in
future.
A more streamlined approach to mayoral strategies and
increased powers of scrutiny for the London Assembly over
these strategies, including the power to reject final strategies
by a two thirds majority.
A new requirement for the GLA Group to publish details of
all expenditure over £500 and openness rules will be extended
to Transport for London.