Offences Against Children: Internet
James Brokenshire MP: To ask the Secretary of
State for the Home Department whether he plans to bring forward
legislative proposals to require internet service providers to block
access to foreign websites identified as containing images of child
abuse. [294210]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction: The
Government are very clear that the use of blocking to prevent access to
these images is something that internet service providers should do,
and are pleased with the support from providers, which has led to 98.6
per cent. of UK consumer broadband lines being covered by blocking of
sites identified by the Internet Watch Foundation as containing such
illegal images. The Government recognise the work of the internet
industry in reaching this figure.
It remains our hope that the target of 100 per cent. of
consumer-facing ISPs operating a blocking list will be achieved on a
voluntary basis and we keep progress on the 100 per cent. target under
review.
The IWF publishes a list of companies that take the list. It has
plans for a self-certification system so that the public will be able to
identify which companies are operating an effective blocking policy.
Source: Hansard 21 October 2009 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091021/text/91021w0024.htm#09102144000018 
