HC Deb 26 June 1997 vol 296 cc614-5W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what use she plans to make of the Internet to make Government more open. [5099]

Mr. Battle

The Department of Trade and Industry has maintained an Internet presence since 1995 to provide a wide range of information about its activities, services and key contact points. The Department also has an Open Government page on the Internet informing the public of their rights of access under theCode of Practice on Access to Government Information to information it holds. The Open Government page has a direct Email link to the DTI Open Government Enquiry Point. The Department is continually updating and expanding its Internet pages to make its activities and services more accessible to the public.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with the Internet Service Providers Association to encourage self-certification by content providers. [5086]

Mrs. Roche

My Department maintains frequent contact with the Internet Services Providers Association. The Department played a key role in the development and launch of a self-regulatory system for Internet content based on existing law, known as the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and continues to maintain contact with this organisation.

As part of its remit to help ensure that the Internet can be a safe place to work, learn and play, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has convened an advisory board comprising representatives of content providers, children's charities, regulators from other media, ISPs and civil liberties groups, to propose a UK-focused system for rating Internet content. This system should be available within the next few months, and will help Internet users determine the nature of their and their children's experience of the Internet. IWF is also engaged in work with partners from Europe, North America and Australia with a view to creating a world forum for Internet content rating.