Offences Against Children: Internet
James Brokenshire MP: To ask the Secretary of
State for the Home Department what recent representations he has
received on the blocking of websites identified as containing illegal
images of child pornography; and if he will make a statement. [296655]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction:
The Government regularly receives representations relating to blocking,
from different sections of society. The Government discusses issues
relating to child protection, including blocking of websites containing
illegal images, with a wide range of stakeholders.
The Government are clear that the use of blocking to prevent access
to such images is something that internet service providers should do,
and the Government have been very pleased with the response from the
internet industry. The internet industry, and the Internet Watch
Foundation which they support, have worked closely with law enforcement
to tackle websites hosted in the UK.
This has led to less than 1 per cent. of the total number of such sites being hosted in the UK.
Ofcom has recently published figures showing that 98.6 per cent. of
consumer broadband lines are now covered by blocking based on the IWF
list. It remains the Government’s hope that the target of 100 per cent.
of consumer-facing ISPs operating a blocking list will be achieved on a
voluntary basis. However, the Government do not rule out legislation at
some point in the future if it is not, and will keep progress on the
target under review.
Source: Hansard 2 November 2009: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091102/text/91102w0017.htm#09110238000131 
