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By Polly Raymond, 18 November 1999 00:30

NEWS Ecommerce topped the agenda in the Queen's Speech to the nation as she outlined the Government's main legislative targets for the coming Parliamentary session. Speaking in the House of Lords, the UK Head of State set out the government's commitment to prepare the economy for ecommerce through the Electronic Communications Bill. Other legislation mentioned were the Freedom of Information Act and those that cover the reform of utilities and welfare. The Queen's message was that the government is implementing legislation to prepare the UK for the knowledge economy in both business and government. Mark Sharman, head of policy at the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), welcomed the top billing that ecommerce received in the speech, but said he was concerned that no clarification was given regarding the encryption policies. "We'd have like to have seen some positive sign within the speech from the government that controversial parts of the Bill, like encryption, could be moved to the Interception of Communications Act where it belongs." The Interception of Communications Act also made an appearance in the speech where the Queen stressed that protecting the individual was the most important issue in the drawing up the legislation. A Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill was introduced which will update the current Act and provide regulation of covert surveillance and use of informers. The BCC was also concerned that little was set out in the strategy to reinforce support for emerging small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Electronic Communications Bill is now expected to be published at the earliest opportunity, according to a DTI spokesman.