HC Deb 09 January 1996 vol 269 cc122-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what web site his Department maintains on the Internet; what information is provided there; how often it is updated; what is the address; and if he or his Department answers questions and supplies additional information through the Internet. [7580]

Mr. Willetts

CCTA, the Government centre for information systems, maintains the CCTA Government information service on the world wide web at www.open.gov.uk. This provides search and retrieval facilities with links to information from 140 public sector organisations, some of which use the CCTA server, others of which have their own. The individual organisations are responsible for updating their information.

The Cabinet Office has a number of home pages:

Machinery of Government and Standards Group:

  • www.open.gov.uk/m-of-g/mghome.htm

The available information includes an outline of Cabinet. Office activities; publications, services and events from CCTA, along with on-line public discussions via the collaborative open groups; the full text of all the citizens charters, along with the recent winners; and the text of the open government "Code of Practice on Access to Information". This includes an e-mail reply facility for further information and advice on the open government initiative. Information on the Government information service on the world wide web is updated several times a day.

Cabinet Office agencies—the Civil Service College, the Central Office of Information and HMSO—also have web sites.

The Cabinet Office answers questions and supplies additional information through the Internet at both ministerial and official levels. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and I can be contacted by e-mail at the following addresses:

  • rfreeman.mp.cdl@ccta.gov.uk
  • dwilletts@ccta.gov.uk