HC Deb 12 February 1997 vol 290 cc226-7W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of(a) primary and (b) secondary schools which have access to the Internet in each local education authority area; and if she will make a statement. [15274]

Mr. Robin Squire

This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to provide Internet access to all primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement. [15273]

Mr. Squire

Government support for the purchase of IT systems, software and networking—including Internet connections—by schools is provided through the school effectiveness grant under the DfEE's programme of grants for education support and training.

The Government are also supporting the evaluation of the educational potential of emerging technologies and models of implementation through their piloting programme, the Education Department's superhighways initiative. Several of these projects pilot the use of the Internet, including Internet services designed specifically for schools. The results of the pilot projects will be made available later this year along with guidance for schools on purchasing and good practice in the use of new technologies.