Press Release announcing visit to Washington DC
Press Release
UK delegation takes lead in promoting global approach to tackling spam
The All-Party Internet Group has unveiled plans for a high profile visit to Washington DC in October. e-Envoy Andrew Pinder will join members of APIG, including Derek Wyatt MP, Brian White MP and Andrew Miller MP, to represent the UK at meetings with US Senators and officials. They will discuss how respective legislation in the EU, UK and US could be more closely aligned to more effectively counter the global nuisance of spam.
The delegation will be spending three days on Capitol Hill conducting a series of meetings with key legislators. They will be making the case for the US to consider an “opt-in” rather than their current “opt-out” approach to commercial communications. This is the first time that a UK Parliamentary delegation has travelled to the US to meet its counterparts in a bid to discuss common global tactics to counter the spam nuisance.
Commenting, Derek Wyatt, Chairman of the All-Party Internet Group said:
"As 90% of all spamming emails originate in the USA, we must try and persuade our political colleagues in Washington that their current opt-out system might just ensure that the internet becomes blocked forever which will push up costs and act as a major disincentive to use."
Andrew Pinder, e-Envoy said:
“Spam is a growing problem for businesses and home internet users alike, it wastes resources and in some instances can be extremely offensive. This visit to Washington DC will allow sharing of best practice and further cooperation with the US to effectively tackle spam.”
Notes to editors:
1. The trip will be taking place October 13th- October 16th
2. For further details please contact the delegation that will be visiting Washington DC. Derek Wyatt MP, Brian White MP or Andrew Miller MP on 020 7219 3000 (parliamentary switchboard)
3. The All Party Parliamentary Internet Group exists to provide a discussion forum between new media industries and parliamentarians. Accordingly, the group considers Internet issues as they affect society, informing Parliamentary debate through meetings, informal receptions, inquiries and reports. The group is open to all members of the Houses of Parliament.
4. Officers of the Group are: Derek Wyatt MP (Chm); Michael Fabricant MP; (JVCh), Richard Allan MP (JVCh); Nick Palmer MP (Sec); Brian White MP (Treasurer)
5. APIG hosted a UK Spam Summit on 1 July 2003
6. APIG then launched its Spam Inquiry taking written and oral evidence. The report based on the findings of the Inquiry will be released at a press conference to be held in the House of Commons on 6 October. Further details will follow. Full details of the summit and the inquiry are available at www.apig.org.uk
