§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000,Official Report, column 540W, on the knowledge economy, (1) what is the maximum distance or travelling time a member of the public can reside from a public internet access point under the definition of having access to the internet; and if he will make a statement; [129216]
(2) what is the maximum distance that a person can live from a point of public access to the internet and still be considered to have access; what is the maximum cost that a provider of a point of public access to the internet can charge with access still being considered to be available; and if he will make a statement. [130074]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithIt is not so defined; the Government are considering the steps to improve access, bearing in mind the need for a practical approach, the underlying objective of convenient, affordable access to the internet, and taking into account a wide range of factors, including the developing market.