National Grid for Learning (Hansard, 3 November 1998)

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the advantages of extending the National Grid for Learning Scheme to youth and community services for use in youth clubs. [57456]
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§ Mr. Charles Clarke
The Government's consultation paper 'Connecting the Learning Society' set out a target date of 2002 for the connection of all schools, colleges, universities and libraries and as many community centres as possible to be connected to the National Grid for Learning via the Internet.
The Government will be seeking to ensure that the National Grid for Learning, the University for Industry and other lifelong learning initiatives will be accessible via a range of technologies including the Internet, and at a range of locations which fit in with people's lifestyles. We will consider a range of ways in which to maximise access to the Grid, including community projects such as youth clubs.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he intends to extend free telephone calls to after 6 p.m. under the National Grid for Learning. [57457]

§ Mr. Charles Clarke
The Government intend to review current arrangements brokered by Oftel with the telecommunications industry, to build on the progress already made in making medium speed connections more affordable to schools. Further announcements will be made shortly.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in the Chorley constituency have taken advantage of the National Grid for Learning to date. [57455]

§ Mr. Charles Clarke
16 schools in the Chorley constituency have so far benefited under the first year of the Standards Fund National Grid for Learning Grant. These grants are intended to progressively enable all schools to secure access to high quality networked educational services on the National Grid for Learning through the replacement of obsolete equipment, the provision of suitable internal and external networking facilities, quality software and on-line services, and associated training in basic ICT use.
All schools which currently have access to the Internet will be able to take advantage of resources and services through the National Grid for Learning.