To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what monitoring his Department is undertaking of the pace of delivery of the broadband universal service commitment. (292401)

The delivery of the universal service commitment (USC) will be carried out by the Network Design and Procurement Company. We hope to appoint the chief executive of this company in the autumn, who will then work to begin delivery as soon as possible. Once established, the Government will ensure appropriate monitoring of delivery, primarily through a steering board which the company will report to.