§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will appoint consultants to advise on the development of Internet services in government, with particular reference to the needs of users both in government and the public; the possibility of establishing central web page design services; the provision of appropriate hotlinks to emphasise the concept of co-ordinated government; the use of graphics; and whether or not to use pdf files. [HL1060]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)We appointed Cyberia, Internet consultants, in September 1998 to look at these issues. The findings were publicised in November 1998 during a conference organised by the Central Information Technology Unit (CITU), Cabinet Office, on the Prime Minister's target that 25 per cent. of government services should be able to be delivered electronically by 2002. This presentation can be downloaded from www.citu.gov.uk. I have placed copies of the full report in the Libraries of the House. We are currently considering these issues and will make known our conclusions in due course.