Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Safety Bill

Thursday 6 January 2022 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State has met with civil society groups and Cabinet colleagues to discuss the Online Safety Bill.
  • The Online Safety Bill will introduce criminal sanctions and substantial fines for non-compliance to ensure platforms remove harmful content.
  • The disinformation and misinformation unit is working daily to remove harmful covid-19 vaccine-related content online.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Allan Dorans
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Online Safety Bill has faced delays and contradictory messaging despite widespread support in the House. The question seeks clarity on the timetable for the Bill's implementation to allow for scrutiny.

Question

What recent discussions she has held with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) civil society groups on the proposed Online Safety Bill? There has been widespread support throughout this House for the Online Safety Bill, and yet it has been subject to contradictory messaging and delays. Will the Secretary of State finally provide a clear timetable so that the vital work of scrutiny and improvement can begin?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I have met a range of stakeholders, including civil society groups, to discuss the Online Safety Bill. I have also had regular meetings with my ministerial colleagues and have heard a wide range of opinions on the Bill. The Joint Committee reported on 10 December and the Bill will come to the House very shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timetable or clear timeline for implementation despite delays mentioned by the questioner

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Q2 Allan Dorans
Culture, Media & Sport Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Select Committee system is seen as crucial for effective scrutiny. The question queries whether the Secretary of State will proceed cautiously with proposals that could curtail ministerial powers in the Online Safety Bill.

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Select Committee system is the jewel in the crown of Parliament and well capable of providing the right scrutiny. With that in mind, in the upcoming Online Safety Bill will the Secretary of State proceed with utmost caution over the proposed permanent standing Joint Committee, which would curtail her own powers and those of Ministers across Government?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The Select Committee on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is indeed the jewel in the crown. However, the Online Safety Bill is groundbreaking and novel legislation that will enforce new rules in areas not previously legislated upon. The debate about additional layers of scrutiny should occur when the Bill comes before the House.

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether she would proceed with caution over the proposed permanent standing Joint Committee

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Q3 Julian Knight Con
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

The Guardian recently published research showing that tech companies like Google are disguising advertisements as search results, particularly for fossil fuel companies. This raises concerns about greenwashing on the internet.

Question

Will the Secretary of State assure the House that she will use the Bill to crack down on these over-mighty, arrogant tech platforms?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The central purpose of the Bill is to legislate against overmighty tech companies. The draft Bill will be improved based on recommendations from the Joint Committee, Law Commission, etc., to provide reassurances that illegal and harmful content will be regulated.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address greenwashing or false advertising by tech platforms

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Q4 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Context

The MP wrote to five major social media companies with colleagues last year, calling for meaningful change. Only three replied, raising concerns about their seriousness in addressing the matter.

Question

Last year, I wrote to five major social media companies asking them to take action on issues relevant to my constituency. Will my right hon. Friend ensure robust changes through upcoming legislation?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The response from tech companies is disappointing, but not surprising. The Online Safety Bill will introduce criminal sanctions and substantial fines for non-compliance, aiming to ensure platforms provide protections needed by young people and remove harmful content.

Answered
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Q5 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
NHS Climate
Context

Despite government delays, there are thousands of unvaccinated patients in hospitals, attacks on NHS workers, and misinformation online. The question seeks immediate actions to address this issue.

Question

After years of Government delay, we still do not have a confirmed timetable for implementation of online safety legislation. With thousands of unvaccinated covid-19 patients in our hospitals and misinformation about the vaccines circulating readily online, what is the Secretary of State doing now—not in a year's time—to properly address misinformation about the covid-19 vaccines online?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The disinformation and misinformation unit is working daily, removing harmful content related to covid-19 vaccinations. We have contacts with online content providers to ensure this work continues.

Answered
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Q6 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question seeks clarity on recent discussions with civil society groups and cabinet colleagues about the proposed legislation.

Question

What recent discussions she has held with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) civil society groups on the proposed Online Safety Bill?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I have met a range of stakeholders, including civil society groups, to discuss the Online Safety Bill. I have also had regular meetings with my ministerial colleagues, and I am taking into account various opinions on the Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or timelines of discussions with civil society groups and cabinet colleagues

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