By Felicity Ussher, 26 February 1999 00:30
NEWS The UK government is poised to enter the debate over European proposals to outlaw Web caching, after a question was tabled this week by Michael Fabricant MP, at Silicon.com's request. His question asks the DTI to respond to the European Parliament's inclusion of Web caching in its draft legislation on online copyright. Some fear that, if approved by European Commission and national governments, the laws could slow down the Internet. Silicon.com asked Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield, to table the question, following feedback from alarmed viewers who want politicians to be better informed before making decisions on the subject. Fabricant has asked Trade Secretary, Stephen Byers to "make a statement on the likely effects on information technology in the United Kingdom, following the decision by the European Parliament to outlaw Web caching; and the steps he will take to mitigate the effect on British commerce and other Internet users." Most importantly, Fabricant has also asked for a statement on how this might be enforced. Industry has heralded Fabricant's question as a major step forward. David Taylor, president of Certus, which represents IT directors, said: "This is a classic illustration to see whether the government can challenge Europe and get it to come to its senses. If the Web caching clause goes in as it stands, there will be chaos because the guidelines will be unenforceable and will cripple British industry. Is the government going to stand up and be counted on behalf of IT leaders?" Under parliamentary procedures, the DTI is obliged to answer Fabricant's question, although there is no fixed time schedule for the response. Byers will have the chance to vote personally on the proposed laws, once European Commissioner, Mario Monti, puts them before the EU Council of Ministers.
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