HC Deb 02 July 1997 vol 297 cc285-6
11. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to provide public access to information terminals to allow communication with Government. [4937]

Dr. David Clark

A number of pilot projects using public access terminals have been set up around the country. They provide information on a range of public services and local amenities. As I suspect that the hon. Gentleman knows, the purpose of the pilots is to test consumer acceptance of the terminals as service delivery mechanisms. We intend a number of similar projects to be distributed throughout the country during the coming year.

Mr. Bruce

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that answer. Can he tell the House when citizens in my constituency, having heard the Budget speech, will be able to punch in their own details and find out how much money the Labour party intends to take out of their pockets?

Dr. Clark

The hon. Gentleman will have to wait a little while before even he knows the answer—if that is indeed the answer. In all seriousness, the hon. Gentleman has long taken an interest in the subject of his main question and, like me, he knows the implications and the impact that information technology will have on the delivery of Government information and Government services to individuals. He will be pleased to know that I have made arrangements for right hon. and hon. Members to view some of the access terminals and that a demonstration will be staged from 7 to 11 July in the Upper Waiting Hall.