§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the development of the Government data network.
§ Mr. RyderIn addition to the service provided to the initial four departments, Department of Social Security, Inland Revenue, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and Home Office, access agreements to use the network have been made between Racal Data Networks Ltd. and Department of Employment, Department of Energy, General Register Office (Scotland), Her Majesty's Stationery Office, the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, Her Majesty's Treasury and the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce. Discussions with the contractor on development of the service, including its use to carry value added data services, are proceeding.