§ 1. Mr. Ben Chapman (Wirral, South)What plans he has to extend the use of new technologies by public services to improve their performance and allow greater access by the public. [58911]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Peter Kilfoyle)I am pleased to announce that a contract has been signed with Cable and Wireless for delivering the xGSI, an extension to the Government secure intranet allowing for more highly classified networks to connect to it. The xGSI is a major breakthrough in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of how Departments and agencies can work together. From now on, it will be increasingly possible for the Government to conduct business over the Government secure intranet in more secure and cost-effective ways that will open up the possibility for greater electronic access to Government by both the public and the business community.
§ Mr. ChapmanI thank my hon. Friend, who is no doubt aware that the use of information technology in the public sector is a vast and still largely untapped means for the ordinary person to communicate with the Government and the public sector in general. Will he assure me that all possible steps will be taken to ensure that the ever-evolving technology is kept pace with and that the private sector—and not only Cable and Wireless—is appropriately engaged?
§ Mr. KilfoyleI can give my hon. Friend that assurance. Indeed, I introduced the Computer Industry Consultative Committee at a conference at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre on 2 November, to maintain the dialogue between the industry and ourselves. Through the central information technology unit and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, both of which operate within the Cabinet Office, we are in day-to-day contact with new developments in the industry.
§ Mr. Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst)When this sexy network is completed, will the wires lead into the present office of the Minister for the Cabinet Office, or into a new office of considerable dimensions and cost? Perhaps the Minister could share that information with us.
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe right hon. Gentleman is more than a little out of date, as a question was answered on that very subject yesterday—Official Report, column 452. He demeans the serious question of how the Government communicate among themselves and with others. We seriously intend to take all measures necessary to ensure that we can do so effectively. I am sure that he is aware that the proposal to consolidate from seven buildings into one in Admiralty buildings preceded the advent of the 922 Labour Government. The difference between us and the previous Government is that we are actually doing something about it.