§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his office and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.
§ Mr. LuceThe introduction of information technologies in my Department is undertaken within an overall strategy for information technology which covers the Office of Arts and Libraries, the Cabinet Office and the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service. This group of Departments has about 120 computers, and a large proportion of them is connected to the Government offices, Horse Guards road, local area network. A total of eight are, or will shortly be, installed in the Office of Arts and Libraries.
The introduction of this equipment has facilitated communications within and between Departments, and has assisted the preparation of information in response to wider inquiries.