HC Deb 14 February 1996 vol 271 cc646-7W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all(a) Internet and (b) other computer network, sites or bulletin boards, operated by his Department or containing information supplied by his Department, indicating for each site or bulletin board (a) the inaugural date, (b) me timetable and policy in respect of updates, (c) the Internet, or other network, address of each site or board and (d) to whom the site or board is currently made available and the criteria which must be fulfilled by applicants for access. [14230]

Sir John Wheeler

The information is as follows(a) Internet

  • The business development service of the Department of Finance and Personnel operates an Internet service on behalf of Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office which also extends to their executive agencies and other associated bodies. The information requested on this is as follows:
    1. (i) The NICS world wide web server was launched on 22 May 1995.
    2. (ii) No formal timetable or policy for updates to existing information have yet been established, but inputting of new information and updates to existing entries on the NICS WWW pages are taking place continuously.
    3. (iii) The site address is—
  • http://www.nics.gov.uk
    • 647
  • The directorate of information systems, part of the Health and Personal Social Services Management Executive of the Department of Health and Social Services, established a web server on the Internet as part of an HPSS pilot project.
    1. (i) The server went live in October 1995.)
    2. (ii) Updates are accepted on an ad-hoc basis from the management executives, HPSS boards and trusts.
    3. (iii) The site address is—
  • http://wwwn.n-i.nhs.vk
  • Both sides are freely available to other Internet users using web browsers or file transfer software.
    1. (b) Other computer networks
  • Training access points is a Great Britain initiative which was introduced into Northern Ireland in 1989. The database consists of more than 10,500 records of education and training opportunities which can be accessed by the general public via computer terminal.
  • There are 41 terminals throughout Northern Ireland, mainly in Training and Employment Agency offices and open learning centres, installed over a period of four years.
  • The details of available information are updated monthly

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