HC Deb 19 May 1999 vol 331 cc1048-9
5. Mr. Ben Chapman (Wirral, South)

If he will make a statement on the progress made by the ministerial group on better government. [83644]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Dr. Jack Cunningham)

We set up the ministerial group on better government to develop and implement the Government's programme for public service reform. The group oversaw the work leading to publication of the "Modernising Government" White Paper, and will oversee the implementation of the whole modernising government agenda.

Mr. Chapman

NHS Direct is a fine example of a public service that has been modernised using information technology. Does my right hon. Friend propose to apply that example to other public services, and ensure that they are similarly modernised and that people have access to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Dr. Cunningham

Yes, we shall do that. As the "Modernising Government" White Paper makes clear, we have set ourselves targets. By 2008, we intend that all Government services will be accessible using information technology. Where there is a demand, let us say to fill in self-assessment forms for the Inland Revenue, people should have access to services via their own equipment at home. Similarly, small businesses and others should be able to complete their VAT returns at their leisure and send the information electronically to the appropriate Government Department.

Sir George Young (North-West Hampshire)

When the ministerial group on better government next meets, will it reflect on the plea for pay restraint made last night by the Chancellor? Will it reconsider the huge increases that Ministers have given to their special advisers—increases far more substantial than those same Ministers have given to teachers or nurses?

Dr. Cunningham

I have already published the figures for the average increase in specialist advisers' pay. In the current financial year, special advisers have not yet been paid their annual increment, let alone had any regrading. I advise the right hon. Gentleman not to believe everything that he reads in the newspapers.