§ Mr. Robert JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the services which(a) her Department and (b) the executive agencies responsible to her Department (i) provide online and (ii) expect to be deliverable online by 2002. [119438]
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§ Mr. FoulkesWe are collecting data which will include our progress on delivering 25 per cent. of Government services electronically by 2002. We currently provide a range of services electronically that include: a website containing information on Departmental publications, research data, contract opportunities and vacancies; a Public Inquiry Point staffed by a dedicated team able to provide a direct response or route the inquiry to the most appropriate respondent; all press releases and speeches, publications and publicly available research data issued by the Department which may be ordered electronically or downloaded directly from the website; guidelines and application forms for several DFID funding programmes.
In the public arena we use electronic means to support payment of pensions to ex-colonial pensioners and dependants. Future plans include the introduction of electronic invoices and e-tendering, subject to a successful trial by the Office of Government Commerce. These initiatives are planned to be introduced by 2002 and progress will be monitored as part of the Department's Public Service Agreement. We do not have responsibility for any external agencies.