HC Deb 09 February 1987 vol 110 cc33-4W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the Departments that will be connected to the Government data network on the first phase of the project, and those Departments that may be added to the network at a later stage.

Mr. Brooke

If the proposed Government data network goes ahead, it is expected that it will be used initially by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, Home Office, Department of Health and Social Security and Inland Revenue. It is too early to consider what other Departments might use the network at a later stage.

Mr. Cohen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new interactive, interrogative and batch facilities will

Mr. Brooke

The information requested is given in the table. In order to provide consistent data for all years up to and including 1987 the table has been recalculated using European Commission GDP data (table 6 of the statistical annex to "Europe Economy", No. 29, July 1986). As was the case for the reply of 16 May 1985, the calculations for the United Kingdom do not take account of the offsetting effect of VAT abatements or refunds.

accrue to his Department from the connection to the Government data network; and what is the estimated saving to his Department from joining the network.

Mr. Brooke

There are no plans at this stage for the Treasury to use the proposed Government data network.