§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department 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. SainsburyWithin the departmental planning processes we are continually reviewing how information technology can assist in improving efficiency and effectiveness, including in the field of communications.580W We have an extensive modernisation programme for voice and data communications. Videotext, CCTV, facsimile transmission and electronic mail are all being exploited, with a substantial increase foreseen for the latter if trials presently under way prove successful. Growing use is being made of technology-based training; and computer-based publishing systems play a significant part in text production of all kinds. For the future we will continue to take up relevant available technology as it matures and offers economical and effective ways of meeting our needs.