HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 c476W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the job description of the Special Representative on the Digital Economy. [76197]

Mr. Wills

[holding answer 12 March 1999]: The Special Representative on the Digital Economy (the e-Envoy) will have two roles:

  1. 1. To spearhead the implementation of the strategy, set out in the Competitiveness White Paper, for:
    1. a) achieving the Government's goal of making the UK, by the end of this Parliament, the best environment in the world in which to trade electronically
    2. b) ensuring that UK businesses and consumers fully realise the potential this opens up
  2. 2. To advise the Secretary of State and Prime Minister on future development of the strategy. In particular:
    • Monitoring progress on implementation of the strategy, and keeping the strategy under regular review in the light of international developments.
    • Reviewing existing Government policies and activities relevant to the goals set out at No. 1, with a view to identifying gaps and areas for accelerated effort.

Executive responsibility for implementing the agreed strategy will principally lie with relevant departments, but the e-Envoy will also take on specific functions where agreed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Prime Minister. In particular, the e-Envoy will act as public figurehead for the Government on e-commerce issues in international discussions; promote the UK as a centre for e-commerce business and investment; and publicly champion e-commerce in the UK, spreading awareness and promoting uptake by businesses and consumers.