Digital Economy Bill second reading set for 6 April

Parliament has set the date for the next reading of the Digital Economy Bill

The second reading of the controversial Digital Economy Bill has been scheduled for 6 April, parliament said today.

The announcement follows an evening in which hundreds of protestors gathered outside parliament to demonstrate against the government's plans to disconnect illegal file sharers from the internet.

The protest was organised by the Open Rights Group, and attended by politicians and members of the public who believe that internet access is an essential human right.

Protestors argued that restricting this right is not a proportionate punishment for the crime of illegally accessing copyrighted content.

Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, said at the event that he is concerned by the lack of scrutiny given to the copyright proposals.

The proposals are part of the Digital Economy Bill, which is being rushed through parliament before the general election.

Many of the protestors said that the proposed legislation needs more time to be examined, and is too important to be hurried through in the 'wash-ups' period during which government rushes through new laws without proper debate in the final days before a general election and the dissolution of parliament.