§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to provide information via Internet; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe Department is enthusiastic about the potential for using the Internet to facilitate the exchange of information. There are many opportunities and challenges arising from the new communications technology that need to be addressed in all areas of education.
The Department is undertaking pilot projects on the type of material best suited to this style of display. Press notices, including those containing statistical tables, could be made available electronically in this way. Electronic versions of departmental circulars and administrative memoranda might also provide a helpful reference service for educational bodies, as would current awareness lists of publications available from my Department and related bodies. The dissemination of information could be speeded up by providing electronic order forms.
682WIn due course, advantage will be taken of the information pages of the Internet to hold reference material and departmental advice on a range of topics.
The Department will be participating in the follow up to the consultative meeting on information superhighways organised by the Government centre for information systems on 21 November, which has led to the formation of a number of collaborative open groups to look into various aspects of future superhighway development.