§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [19143]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightThe Treasury established its Internet site on 14 November 1994, and was one of the first Government Departments to do so. The site offers a wide range of material which continues to grow. It includes Budget documentation, Treasury press releases, ministerial speeches and the minutes of the Chancellor's 321W monthly monetary meeting. Use of the site has climbed dramatically since its launch, with about 33,000 accesses in the 1994 Budget week, about 250,000 in the 1995 Budget week and about 400,000 in the 1996 Budget week. Accesses for a typical week currently run at about 15,000. The site was nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of industry experts as a finalist in the 1996 UK web awards—Yell—for best non-commercial site. We are committed to expanding and improving the site further.