§ Mr. SpringTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government are taking to improve public access to new information and communication technologies. [7638]
§ Mr. LangToday, as part of the Government's information society initiative, I launched "IT for All", a four-year programme, taking us to the millennium. The information society initiative is the Government's strategy to take the United Kingdom forward into the information age. It is the single identity used for all Government activities in this area, whether they involve the582W Government's own delivery of services, business support, education, libraries or giving hands-on experience to private citizens. I have today published "Building the Information Society: a National Strategy" which sets out the Government's overall aims and policies for the information society, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
"IT for All" will underpin all parts of the information society initiative by focusing on the use of technology by individuals. We want to help those who are unconvinced by the benefits of information and communication technologies or are not confident about using them. "IT for All" will raise awareness of these new technologies among the general public and facilitate direct access to them. "IT for All" will show the benefits and opportunities they offer and the many ways in which they can already be used to improve the quality of daily life. The campaign aims to build positive well-informed public attitudes to the information society, particularly among those who have little or no direct contact with interactive applications at present. There will be opportunities throughout the country for people to get direct, hands-on experience, whether in libraries, shops or schools.
"IT for All" is based on a close partnership between business, central and local government and voluntary sector organisations. It involves many Government Departments, including the Department for Trade and Industry, Department for Education and Employment, Department of National Heritage, Cabinet Office, Department of Transport, Department of Health, Scottish Office, Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office.
Further details can be found on the "IT for All" website at http://www.itforall.gov.uk.