§ Jim KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the publicity given to the Broadband Fund by the South-West Regional Development Agency between 8 October 2001 and 20 December 2001 in raising awareness within the private sector; [33726]
(2)how much funding has been provided to broadband projects in the south-west by the Broadband Fund since its announcement; [33754]
(3)if she will make a statement on (a) the regulations for application and (b) the application process for applicants seeking funding from the Broadband Fund. [33760]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Government made a well-publicised announcement on the fund on 9 October 2001, and referred inquiries to the relevant body. The UK Broadband Fund was established to support the RDAs and devolved Administrations in taking forward innovative schemes to meet local requirements for extending broadband networks. There was no 'application process', since the fund was not established to assist individual businesses.
£3.78 million has been allocated to the South-West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA). Use of funds, along with publicity within the south-west, is a matter for SWRDA, who carry out the projects in accordance with the action plan agreed with Government and the guidance laid down in October.
§ Jim KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what part mapping of existing broadband service availability in the UK forms of her strategy for 1195W broadband deployment; to what extent mapping has been completed; and to what extent the mapping data is available in the public domain; [33750]
(2) if she will make a statement on deployment of broadband on a region by region basis in the UK. [33752]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Government have a rolling programme of research into the broadband market, including assessment of availability of broadband services across the UK. A map showing geographical availability of technologies is contained in the second annual UK Online report (http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/ukonline/progress/anrep2001/default.htm) and has been placed in the Libraries of the House.