5 years ago... UK minister answers Mandelson ecommerce jibes

28.07.99: DTI minister, Michael Wills, has hit back at criticism from former Trade Secretary Peter Mandelson over the government's handling of ecommerce policy.

Speaking at the European Media Forum, Mandelson accused the government of dragging its heels over scrapping the unpopular key escrow policy.

But Wills retorted: "The Bill was delayed but it is still ahead of the game. The US has still not got key escrow sorted out yet. But these criticisms are tiny details. There are huge changes in the Bill over the last few months we have been modernising it and giving it a light touch. Key escrow was dead and over in May and we now have an interesting way to work with the industry in partnership."

28.07.04: Government delays? Behind the times on ecommerce? Not having a handle on internet policy making? This could be five years, five months, five days or probably even five minutes ago - and it doesn't take a man of Mandy's standing to point out the failings of the government.

Whether it's the government's failure to introduce a timely gambling bill to cover online bookmakers, or its ineffectiveness in policing email and the internet, the speed at which government moves is vastly different to the pace of the internet - a fact recognised by current DTI incumbent Stephen Timms.