HC Deb 22 April 2002 vol 384 cc90-1W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to co-locate Government services in locations accessible to(a) parents of young children, (b) old people and (c) those without access to a private motor car. [49798]

Mr. Leslie

Electronic delivery of Government services provides the opportunity to bring them together in a convenient way for users, particularly those who find travel difficult. Over half of Government services are already available online, and all will be by 2005.

The citizen portal at ukonline.gov.uk provides comprehensive information and online services tailored to specific groups of users, including parents and older people, from a single website address. In addition, to assist people who do not have Internet access at home, the Government is rolling out a national network of over 6,000 UK online centres providing convenient access in the local community.

Furthermore, ukonline.gov.uk will be available through a number of different channels—the first being digital television. A pilot of this, which commenced on 10 April this year, aims to bring Government information and services to those who would prefer to interact with the Government via a television rather than a PC.