§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department established its Internet site; what representations he has received and what data he has collated on the use and utility of the site; and what steps he is taking to increase the amount of information available via the site. [19147]
§ Mr. HoramThe Department of Health Internet site was established in June 1995. Statistics received from the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency on the use of the site show that weekly page accesses to the106W Department's site have increased from just under 2,000 in June 1995 to over 10,000 in February 1997. The Department of Health's home page is consistently among the top 20 most used pages on the CCTA's open government site. Other pages, such as the hospital league tables, press releases and monthly publications update, are visited frequently. Users of the Department's web site are encouraged to provide feedback via a form on the site. All suggestions for improvement are considered and many have been implemented.
The Department continues to increase the amount of information, and now provides the full text of key communications such as White and Green Papers, press releases and consultative documents, as well as listings of new departmental publications. Later this year, access to departmental circulars is planned and enhanced provision of statistical publications. The Department also encourages staff to consider electronic media, including the Internet, in deciding where to publish departmental communications.