§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to ensure future participation by United Kingdom companies in the projected market increase for software and other digital product sales over the Internet. [61832]
§ Mrs. RocheThe department is building on existing mechanisms such as the Software Business Network (SBN), Trade UK and the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge (NIGC) which currently support companies in these emerging areas. Our intention is to create in the UK the best environment in the world in which to trade electronically by 2002. We will introduce legislation during this session of Parliament to help to build confidence in electronic commerce.
Further measures will be announced in the forthcoming White Paper on Competitiveness.