§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to develop the provision of information technology within primary schools. [108518]
§ Mr. Wills[holding answer 7 February 2000]: The implementation of the National Grid for Learning will support investment of £657 million in information and communications technology in maintained schools in England in the period up to 2002. Primary schools were the focus for expenditure in the first phase of this programme (1998–99). This has led to unprecedented improvements in connectivity. Last year there was a four fold improvement in internet connections in primary schools to 62 per cent. We are making increased levels of funding available in the period 2000–02 to enable the remaining primary schools to become connected to the internet and the Grid. At the same time this will enable more primary schools to invest in networked ICT.