Lord Puttnam:

My question falls into the category of political priorities and is addressed to Ms Dixon and the Minister. I am looking at this from the perspective of somebody who is worried that the big tech companies are beginning to see themselves as nation states, in effect. That is not an overstatement. One of the very few successes we have had in the United Kingdom is getting adequate resources, staffing and money to the authorities to take on their responsibilities. If the UK Information Commissioner, Ms Elizabeth Denham, were here today I am sure she would confirm that. It was quite a struggle within the British Parliament but I believe she feels she is adequately looked after.

I am concerned that a number of nations are engaging in a dangerous tension between going out of their way to get investment income from big tech companies while not looking at the investment required to regulate those companies they have actively encouraged to come to this or that country. It is a real worry. Does Ms Dixon absolutely believe her office has the resources to take on the responsibilities that in effect it is taking on for the European Union to regulate the companies already in Dublin?