Digital Economy Bill heads to MPs 6 April

gallery

The Digital Economy Bill has been scheduled for a second reading in the House of Commons, after passing though the House of Lords with some controversial amendments.

It will be examined - albeit briefly - on 6 April, the very same day that Prime Minister Gordon Brown is widely expected to set the date for the looming election.

The timing means the bill is likely to move into the so-called "wash-up" phase, which means it can be approved without being formally debated and the only changes allowed are deletions.

The scheduling comes as MPs and campaigners asked for more time to debate the bill, which includes provisions to cut off persistent file sharers and take down websites that host copyrighted content.

A protest outside parliament earlier this week drew hundreds, while on campaign has seen thousands of emails and letters sent to MPs.

Jim Killock, head of the Open Rights Group, told the Guardian: "Over 17,000 letters have been sent objecting to this Bill being rushed through. This bill will restrict individual rights and freedoms and punish innocent people by disconnecting them. This needs democratic debate, it cannot simply be pushed through during 'wash up'."

Read on for more about the Digital Economy Bill.

Email to a friend

Print this page