News Release

9th October 2003

WEB CHAT IN BLACKPOOL

Michael Fabricant undertook a web chat on the Conservative Party Website during the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool. Michael answered questions on rural broadband, the World Trade Organisation, the demise of manufacturing in Britain, and internet issues. Michael was answering questions as Shadow Trade and Industry Minister.

The chat can be seen by logging onto conservatives.html/news/article.cfm?obj_id=74598

The text of some of the chat is shown below:

Lindsay Jenkins

Q: "Given that Britain has long lost its ability to control its own trade policy, and inter alia is no more than an observer at the WTO, is it Conservative Party policy to repatriate trade policy and trade treaties from the EU/EC to support British businessmen. And if not, why not?"

MICHAEL FABRICANT: Unfortunately, Labour has given away our ability to negotiate independently as a nation at the WTO. I, myself, would like to see some of these powers repatriated. Britain has much to say - and we won't always agree with Brussels on some issues!

Richard H

Q: "What will you do to encourage the roll-out of broadband in rural areas ? What are your views on Universal Service Obligations ?"

MICHAEL FABRICANT: Technology is changing so rapidly, I just don't believe a Universal Service Obligation for ADSL makes much sense. Some very rural areas are now being provided by wireless broadband and other technologies are coming on stream. The Countryside Agency has just produced a study of broadband provision in rural areas and it is well worth reading - the publication is on the web http://www.countryside.gov.uk/publications/publication.asp?PublicationID=649

Julie Bieles

Q: "What measures would a Conservative Government take to ensure that the manufacturing base in the UK was rebuilt if they won the next General Election?"

MICHAEL FABRICANT: The British Chambers of Commerce have identified £20.3 billion of extra burdens and red tape imposed on business since Labour came to power. The CBI say that £47 billion of new business taxes have been paid by business since 1997. We will halt the rise in business taxes and we would put a time limit on employment regulations so that they wouldn't be automatically renewed. Removing these costs will give British manufacturers a real chance to compete.

We must also fight our corner in Europe to defend British manufacturers. With the French and Germans defending their industries, we just cannot afford to stand aside and accept the consequences. Labour doesn't defend British business and our manufacturing industry in the European Union.

Hayley Sullivan

Q: "Is e-voting a good thing ?"

MICHAEL FABRICANT: Yes. Anything that can defeat political apathy has to be a good thing. But we must ensure that the system is safe and cannot be open to fraud.

Peter Brook

"Will the Conservatives encourage the adoption of Single Sign On allowing each user of an IT service to be Identified Authenticated and Authorised - and thereby limited to certain areas eg under 18 over 18 reducing fraud and the activities of paedophiles at a stroke? Plus some sort of promotion of 'powerline' broadband would be good on the basis that DSL is not viable nationwide and satellite and wireless are non starters."

MICHAEL FABRICANT: In principle, this has its advantages and would help to prevent paedophile activity on the net. But, there is no foolproof system currently available to stop 'impersonation'. But we will look at this as the technology advances.

Kent Wright

Q: "Do you support new laws to cut spam ? Would they be effective ?"