HC Deb 06 July 1992 vol 211 cc8-9W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to make HMSO publications available on computer files; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

HMSO actively pursues viable opportunities for publishing official material in computer form, including working in concert with private sector firms in the information industry, in the spirit of the tradeable information policy. Currently available products include:

On CD-ROM (Compact Disc—; Read Only Memory): Statutory Instruments from 1987—; published six-monthly. DTI United Kingdom Register of Quality Assessed Companies—; published quarterly. Civil Service YearBook—; published annually. Catalogue of United Kingdom Official Publications—; published quarterly.

As Data-Only Files on Magnetic Tape or Disc: Customs & Excise Tariff (magnetic tape)—; published monthly. Standard Methods for Measurement (floppy disc)—; available for purchase on request. Specified Acts and Statutory Instruments (tape or disc)—;available for purchase on request. The Budget (tape or disc)—;available for purchase on request. The Birthday and New Year's Honours List (tape or disc)—;available for purchase on request. Sections of the House of Commons Vote Bundle (tape or disc)—;bespoke daily service, on request. Other Non-Parliamentary Publications which have been typeset by computer—;available for purchase on request.

As floppy disc supplements to printed publications: Neighbourhood Renewal Program. SLOPE (Stability Calculation facility for Surveyors). Annual Review of Government funded Research and Development. Forthcoming Products include:

On CD-ROM Full text of Commons Official Report—; to be published three times per year. Full text of current HSE publications and related legislation—; to be published six monthly. Current taxation legislation and related material—; to be published three or four times per year.

On floppy disc: United Kingdom VAT Legislation and regulations and related European Commission Directives Technical procure-ment information standard for computer communication systems (GOSIP).

As floppy disc supplements to printed publications: Companies Assisted Standard Occupational Classification. Structural Systems Analysis and Designs Methods (SSADM).

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
(a) Number of companies
South East 269 277 486 509 512 512 450
South West 42 51 74 78 74 68 60
East Anglia 32 39 68 60 48 57 50
West Midlands 36 37 86 119 116 87 102
East Midlands 17 26 75 72 90 81 80
Yorkshire and Humberside 17 18 70 36 71 75 104
North West 14 26 78 94 107 64 66
North 10 18 38 98 79 50 45
Scotland 62 52 116 145 147 174 150
Wales 12 53 71 94 43 39 57
Northern Ireland 2 3 12 21 15 14 32
Total 513 600 1,174 1,326 1,302 1,221 1,196
(b) Amount invested (£ million)
South East 171.4 245.8 529 640 689 674 513
South West 18.4 17.6 67 53 93 34 72
East Anglia 15.9 20.1 24 38 39 51 27
West Midlands 19.2 11.3 40 119 82 64 93
East Midlands 5.8 10.5 71 86 103 70 47
Yorkshire and Humberside 7.4 12.5 68 80 58 57 74
North West 4.7 16.6 36 57 76 38 46
North 2.0 11.9 6 103 37 23 21
Scotland 18.4 26.1 50 81 217 81 73
Wales 6.8 11.2 42 27 19 12 17
Northern Ireland 0.2 0.4 1 14 7 2 6
Total 270.2 384.0 934 1,298 1,420 1,106 989