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By Sally Watson, 6 June 2000 00:25

NEWS UK Home Secretary Jack Straw is doggedly backing the government's controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Bill, despite widespread criticism from business. The Home Office this week welcomed criticism from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) but showed little signs of amending the so-called 'Snooping Bill'. A Home Office spokesman said: "We believe we have a good story to tell in answer of all the points raised by the BCC." Criticism about the Home Office's far-reaching powers to demand access to encryption keys has been gathering momentum, with the BCC adding its support at the weekend. In an open letter addressed to Jack Straw, BCC director general Chris Humphries, said: "Approaches being adopted by other countries, such as Ireland and the United States, will prove less burdensome on business. "There is a real danger that the competitive disadvantage caused by the measure will frustrate the government's ambition of making the UK the best place to trade electronically by 2002." Jim Norton, head of ecommerce at the Institute of Directors, and author of the Cabinet Office's ecommerce report, said the BCC should have reacted months ago, but the organisation couldn't be blamed for complacency. He said: "There were a number of assurances from government and people took them at face value." According to Norton, it is still possible amendments will be made during the House of Lords committee stage next week. He added: "Obviously there are problems with the Bill but I think it would be unreasonable to expect the government to drop it now. I would expect amendments to sharply tighten it up in a number of areas." The Bill will face a whole house committee in the House of Lords on Monday. The Home Office spokesman said it is set to become law by 2 October - timed to coincide with the introduction of the European Bill of Human Rights. silicon.com wants to know what you think of the 'Snooping Bill', send your feedback to editorial@silicon.com.