Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill

I am grateful to noble Lords who have contributed to this interesting group of amendments, although they raise a cardinal point that we seem to have discussed on the Floor of the House on a number of occasions, not least at Second Reading. I recall that when we discussed the whole issue of licence arrangements, we went fully into the question of who should be responsible for switchover. It is a division of principle between us, and I am not sure that at this stage I am in a position to identify fresh arguments on this. It is clear that digital switchover, as all noble Lords recognise, is a much more significant task than any previous transitions, such as going from black and white to colour. All equipment that is not adapted for digital services will become obsolete at the point of switchover, which has never been the case before, when signals have continued to be received by households even if they have not converted to any new technology. Our strategy since 2001 has been based on a managed migration led by the broadcasters—I emphasise, led by the broadcasters—and co-ordinated by Digital UK. It has been significantly effective and successful. Through increased information, awareness and advice, and people’s rapid recognition of the huge advantages of new technology, 75 per cent of viewers have already switched to digital, which is impressive progress. However, we want to make sure that the most vulnerable are not left behind, which is a perfectly proper objective which I am sure is shared by all Members of the Committee. The help scheme will give support to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community and will help in an area which is technical and confusing for many of us, but more likely to be for those who are targeted by the scheme. The need for the help scheme stems from the change in broadcasting technology. I have heard Members of the Committee advocate why the BBC should not be involved in that, but they cannot deny that the reason for the shift is not to do with any policy of government, least of all to do with benefits or support. It is because broadcasting technology has changed. Without digital switchover, there would be no need for a help scheme, which, therefore, is entirely different from other social policy objectives. It is related to this technological development. The operation of the help scheme is linked to the complex regional roll-out of switchover and timings when different transmitters will make the switch, which also will be conditioned by broadcasters. The help scheme will, therefore, be most effective if it is fully integrated with the wider programme of work, which is best done by linking it with the wider responsibilities of the BBC for building digital Britain set out in the new BBC charter and agreement. It was first proposed that the BBC should be responsible for helping to establish and fund the scheme in the March 2005 Green Paper. As I have indicated to Members of the Committee, we have been around this course a few times. The White Paper in 2006 confirmed this. The requirements are set out in the new BBC charter and agreement which came into force on 1 January 1007 I hear the criticism that has been voiced on every occasion the issue has cropped up, and I understand the argument, which again has been well articulated and established today by the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones; namely, that this is a social assistance programme and its costs should be met by others, presumably through general taxation rather than the BBC licence payer. We take a different view; namely, that the costs are part of a broadcasting transition and it is appropriate therefore for the BBC to help to establish and fund the scheme. We need to turn to practicalities and the efficient and effective delivery of the help scheme rather than go back to all those debates, interesting as they were, on the BBC charter. This Bill directs itself to the practicalities. The operation of the help scheme will be more efficient and effective if the scheme operator has access to social security information and other relevant information under the Bill. The Committee will be aware that since 2000 the BBC has had access to social security information to support the TV licence concession scheme for the over-75s, so the Bill breaks no new ground in this respect. The collective effect of the amendments is to remove the BBC from the definition of relevant persons to whom the DWP, the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland, the Ministry of Defence—in respect of war pensions administered by the Veterans Agency—local authorities and health and social services boards in Northern Ireland can disclose such information. This would make it much more difficult for the BBC to help establish and manage the help scheme, increase the inconvenience for those eligible and, as a result, make the help scheme more costly to administer.