Industry Summit To Mark World IPv6 Day

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey will mark today's World IPv6 Day by meeting with key industry figures to discuss progress on switching to the new protocol. Every device that connects to the internet is given an IP address made up of a string of numbers. Internet Protocol version 4, the system currently used, supplied about 4.3 billion addresses which have nearly been exhausted. IPv6 uses longer sequences of numbers and will therefore create many billions more addresses. The Government has supported the creation of 6UK, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to help with the smooth transition to Ipv6. “We must ensure we create the conditions that allow the Internet to continue to grow and for companies to produce fresh innovations,” Mr Vaizey said. “IPv6 is key to the continued growth of the Internet. It is essential industry deals with the switch-over before there is an impact on the Internet. I look forward to hearing from industry about the work already being done on this crucial issue.” In February this year the last blocks of IPv4 addresses were allocated to the regional bodies that distribute them to companies and users. World IPv6 Day aims to raise awareness and major organisations including Google, Facebook and Yahoo will use IPv6 for the day.

BMA Comment On Prime Minister's Speech On NHS Reform



Chairman of Council at the British Medical Association (BMA) has commented on the Prime Minister’s speech on reform of the NHS in England. Following criticism from health service professionals, the Prime Minister set out "real changes" to controversial plans for England's NHS reforms. To "support integration" of services, hospital doctors and nurses will be involved in care commissioning, along with GPs, and regulators. Dr Hamish Meldrum, BMA Chairman, said: 

“It is encouraging that many of the concerns about the Bill that the BMA has repeatedly raised have been taken on board. However, as always, it will be the reality of the changes that is important.

 The Prime Minister’s speech suggests he is committed to integrated NHS services, and the involvement of a wider range of staff in their design. However, he also spoke in glowing terms about the benefits of competition, and we would point to the many damaging effects its application in the NHS has had so far. It is positive that he recognises the need for a level playing field, with private providers contributing to the costs of training, and unable to cherry-pick the most profitable services.

 While we obviously await the details of the Future Forum report, and the amendments to the Bill, today’s speech is an indication of a significant step in the right direction.” The new plans follow a consultation whose findings are due out next week.

Drug Smuggler Sentenced To Eight Months

A drug runner who tried to smuggle £2,500 worth of cannabis through North Shields Ferry Terminal has been jailed for 8 months at Newcastle Crown Court. Edward Lawless was caught by officers from the UK Border Agency as he attempted to pass through customs controls with 7 packages of the drug, weighing 810 g, hidden in his luggage on 30 June 2010. Lawless, 61, from Hendon in Sunderland, told officers from the agency that he had been paid £400 to take the ferry to Amsterdam and collect the drugs. After brining them back he was to dump a bag containing the cannabis on waste land at Little Haven Dock, close to the Middlesbrough Football Club Riverside Stadium. Lawless, a professional diver, admitted to officers from the UK Border Agency that this was the fourth such run he had carried out. He claimed not to know the people he was delivering the drugs for, and that he had only ever spoken to them by telephone. Mr Lawless was sentenced to 8 months for each of the 4 counts of attempting to smuggle Class B controlled drugs into the UK, the sentences to run concurrently. He pleaded guilty to at an earlier hearing to all 4 charges.

(BMcN/GK)