Lord Morrisasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will publish their response to the report of the committee of inquiry into the handling of geographic information.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)We have today published our response to the committee's report; copies have been placed in the Library.
The Government share the committee's view that the potential exists for the rapid spread of applications of information technology in the handling of geographic information, and that these offer the prospect of very considerable benefits.
We agree with the committee also about the importance of prospective users being aware of the possibilities being opened up and being able to obtain informed and impartial advice. We consider, however, that it would be preferable to look to existing organisations rather than create a separate new centre for geographic information for these purposes.
The committee recommended a more rapid programme for the conversion of Ordnance Survey basic scales mapping into digital form. As a result of trials conducted since the committee reported, Ordnance Survey and the major users have developed a new specification which will help Ordnance Survey to speed up its digital conversion programme. Adoption of this new common specification will help in incorporating data produced by others into the Ordnance Survey national digital database and will further speed up the conversion programme.
The Government are grateful to the committee for the thorough consideration given to this wide-ranging subject. The committee's report has itself been a major step in making prospective users aware of the opportunities in this field.