§ 4. Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)What use his Department is making of the internet for giving out information from the UK's embassies and high commissions. [99946]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. John Battle)The Foreign Office is making use of the internet to give out information from our embassies and high commissions and offer a wide variety of information and advice on British Government policy, export leads, investment opportunities and travel advice.
§ Mr. BruceI recently had the need for urgent information about Slovenia and used the Foreign Office system. I congratulate the Minister and all those involved on the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. I understand that it was set up at low cost to Her Majesty's Government. I just wonder—there is always a sting in the tail, in case the Foreign Secretary thinks that I have gone native—whether Foreign Office Ministers could have a word with their colleagues in the Home Office about the use of information technology to produce new passports. Clearly, where the Foreign Office is making savings and provides an excellent service, the 680 Home Office is not. I am sure that the Minister agrees that to use information technology to increase the price of passports by a third is ridiculous.
§ Mr. BattleThe hon. Gentleman has taken a keen interest in computing, websites, the internet and e-commerce—terms that he used before they were popular. I thank him for his compliment. To date, 52 British missions have their own websites linked to the main FCO website. Recently, we announced another £12 million of funding to provide internet-based information kiosks to promote the United Kingdom overseas. That should enhance our web presence for electronic service delivery. We shall be linking through, and signposting, British Trade International, the British Council, the British Tourist Authority and the Invest in Britain Bureau.
I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's compliments on our FCO site. It has won six new media industry awards and it has recently been shortlisted for the best Government website award, the winner of which will be announced in January. I simply draw that to the attention of the Home Office.
§ Mr. David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire)Does my hon. Friend recall how the previous Administration denied to the diplomatic service adequate resources— indeed, imposed severe cuts on it? Does he find it astonishing, as I do, that the Conservative party still resists and opposes further investment in information technology? It does so to such a degree that one believes that it is evidence of xenophobia, not to say hostility to our economic interests.
§ Mr. BattleI have made a few visits to posts and I have not found that the staff abroad are resistant to new technology. They are keen to get it up and running. A member of staff in one of our embassies introduced me to the new e-expression "electronic trade portals". This is the future jargon for cyberspace. The staff are keen to get into the modern age and use the best technology available to ensure that they give out the best practical advice to people travelling abroad and people who want to do business well in overseas countries.