BBC, BT, British Library, the BPI, Orange, Virgin Media and others join Weber Shandwick round table on the digital economy

Leading companies at the cutting edge of the digital revolution put their heads together at a round table hosted in Westminster by Weber Shandwick today.

The event was addressed by John Whittingdale MP, the highly respected Chairman of the Commons All-Party Culture Media and Sport Select Committee, who cast doubts on the Government's ability to get its Digital Economy Bill through Parliament before the General Election. While a new Communications Bill was needed, Mr Whittingdale was of the view that it would be some time before a Conservative Government would be able to give priority to such legislation.

Those present also heard from Professor Bill Dutton, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute, who warned about the creeping introduction of national state controls over ISPs and web content accessible by citizens.

And Kip Meek, Chairman of the Broadband Stakeholders Group, argued that, while plans to levy a 50p tax on fixed lines were controversial, there was still a need to develop the UK's digital infrastructure.