In the UK, an all-party select committee on Science & Technology has recommended fundamental changes to the regulatory framework governing telecommunications and broadcasting in the UK. The committee of the House of Lords, heavily influenced by developments in the US, wants to see an Al Gore-esque Information Society Task Force. Its findings come ahead of a UK Government consultative paper on the use of data processing to improve Government services to the public and business, expected this fall. Among key recommendations are that the Task Force should be chaired by an enthusiast and that all government publications providing information of widespread interest to citizens should be made available, free, and in electronic form. In addition, the report suggests that all Green Papers – tentative proposals for UK legislation – should also be made available on line for the consultative process.
