HC Deb 03 December 1997 vol 302 cc250-1W
Mrs. May

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the specifications are for the provision of the Enterprise Zone web site. [18564]

Mrs. Roche

The Enterprise Zone Internet has been designed to provide UK businesses with quick and easy access to relevant and authoritative sources of business related information on the World Wide Web. Only sites which are assessed by a group of business information experts as meeting quality criteria published on the Enterprise Zone will be linked to the Enterprise Zone.

Mrs. May

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the results of the tendering process for the contract for her Department's Enterprise zone web site. [18566]

Mrs. Roche

Seventeen companies were invited to submit proposals to develop the Enterprise Zone. The proposals were assessed by a selection group that included representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry, Cabinet Office and the Business Link Network. The proposal from Microsoft was recommended by the group as best meeting the specification and representing best value for money.

Mrs. May

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the role of her Department in the provision of information for the Enterprise Zone web site; and if there are any rules restricting use of the site for advertising particular products. [18563]

Mrs. Roche

The Enterprise Zone has been developed to provide UK businesses with quick and easy access to authoritative sources of business information on the World Wide Web. Sites linked to the Enterprise Zone are provided by a wide range of organisations. There is a link from the Enterprise Zone to the Department of Trade and Industry web site.

The Enterprise Zone does not provide links to sites that simply advertise business related products. To be linked to the Enterprise Zone, sites of commercial providers must give business users free access to useful and authoritative information, in addition to providing them with the opportunity to purchase further information or products.

Mrs. May

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many companies tendered for the contract to provide the Enterprise Zone web site; and if she will list them. [18565]

Mrs. Roche

Of the 17 companies invited to submit proposals, the following 14 tendered for the contract to develop the Enterprise Zone web site:

  • Augusta Technology Ltd.
  • Brainstorm Computer Solutions
  • Brand ID
  • British Telecom
  • CMG
  • Complete Works Ltd.
  • IBM
  • ICL Multimedia Solutions
  • Infernet
  • Marketing Net Ltd.
  • Microsoft
  • Online Magic Ltd.
  • SAC Technographic Ltd.
  • SSA Softwright.