HC Deb 14 May 1998 vol 312 cc511-3
12. Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)

What proposals her Department has to promote electronic commerce. [40964]

The Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry (Mrs. Barbara Roche)

Electronic commerce is extremely important and the Government are committed to ensuring that all United Kingdom citizens and businesses have the opportunity to share in its benefits. The Government's programme of linked initiatives in the area is outlined in the policy statement "Our Information Age: the Government's Vision", which was launched by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade last month.

Mr. Bruce

I thank the hon. Lady for her reply. Does she agree that the best way in which the Government can help to promote electronic commerce is to use it themselves and ensure that, as a major buyer of IT, they are fully compliant and have everything working well, rather than considering subsidies or special schemes? Will she have a word with Ministers in all Departments so that at least they are on board and we Members of Parliament can write to them via e-mail? Still, hardly any Ministers publish e-mail addresses.

Mrs. Roche

I understand the hon. Gentleman's point. He takes a close interest in these issues. It is absolutely right that the Government should lead by example, which is exactly what we are doing. It is important that everybody embraces the benefits that electronic commerce can bring, which is why the Government are doing all that they can in forums such as IT For All and our programme for business. I shall certainly take his points on board. I am sure that he will be pleased with the progress that we have been making.

Mr. Stephen Timms (East Ham)

I particularly welcome the publication of "Our Information Age: the Government's Vision", which is an excellent and very impressive statement of the Government's vision in the area. Is not the great disappointment that, in the framework of telecommunications that the previous Government put in place, we have not secured the widespread access to innovative and advanced telecommunication services that we were promised at the time? Is not that the missing jewel, and what we need if we are to be successful, as we all hope, in the implementation of electronic commerce?

Mrs. Roche

My hon. Friend, who is also an expert in these matters, puts his finger on it. We need to do two things. First, we need to ensure that the single market in telecoms in Europe is implemented and a true reality. The Government are absolutely committed to that. All the new services that will flow from that must be provided on the basis that new entrants can tap that newly liberalised market. Secondly, we need to ensure that all our citizens feel comfortable with new technology; that manufacturers ensure that it is as easy to use as possible; and that all businesses, including small and medium-sized businesses use it, too.

Mrs. Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham)

In her enthusiasm for electronic commerce, the Minister will appreciate that businesses are interdependent electronically on an international basis. Has she therefore considered the effect of the millennium bomb on businesses in other countries and the consequences for United Kingdom business of supply-chain failures?

What contingency plans has the hon. Lady made to protect British services and systems against failures elsewhere in the world, which would have a severe knock-on effect on the British economy? Does she appreciate the fact that unless she has well publicised and well thought-out contingency plans, this country may find Labour's slogan coming back to haunt it, and the failures of the few will affect the many?

Mrs. Roche

I think that the hon. Lady was referring to the millennium bug rather than the millennium bomb. That aside, she will know that in the short period in which the Government have been in office we have put in place proposals to spend 17 times more resources than the Government of which she was a member spent in the past 18 years. None the less, the hon. Lady made an important point—[Interruption.] Perhaps the hon. Lady will stop talking and allow me to finish. She made an important point about what needs to be done internationally. I am pleased to say that last Friday the United Kingdom hosted an important international event for our EU partners, which I addressed. There is a serious problem, and that is why the Government are putting in so much time and effort.