asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names in southern California is controlled by the United States Department of Commerce, apart from normal operating contract administration up to 2012. [HL3823]

The United States Department of Commerce has a joint project agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that sets the framework for the transition of the internet domain name and addressing system to the private sector. This agreement is published on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration website: www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/agreements/jpa/ICANNJPA_09292006.htm.