HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 cc650-1W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76173]

Mr. Kilfoyle

The original electronic red box was essentially a laptop computer built into the traditional red box casing. It provided a useful symbol and demonstration to raise the profile of information-age government.

Experimentation with this device showed its useful facility was the secure connection that allowed non-sensitive documents and information to be emailed between the Private Office and the Minister. However, development of the Government Secure Intranet and other research, is examining alternative ways to provide this capacity.

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