§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to review the allocation of e-mail64W addresses to personnel for whom his Department is responsible; when he expects to extend this facility to defence attachés; and if he will make a statement. [62099]
§ Mr. SpellarThe MOD makes extensive use of computer systems and a high proportion of staff use internal e-mail facilities as their principal method of circulating documents and other correspondence. However, for security reasons the Department's current policy is that external e-mail accounts are allocated only where there is a justified business case. Where these are provided, the facility is generally on a stand alone computer or network, again for security reasons.
As part of the work to establish a link during the coming year to the Government Secure Intranet, the MOD will be examining the opportunities for providing access to the Internet (including e-mail) for some personnel. The Department currently has no plans to provide Internet e-mail accounts to all of its personnel.
Support for Defence and Service Attachés is mainly provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Most Embassies and High Commissions have an Internet and e-mail facility, through which Attachés can be reached.