HL Deb 08 May 2001 vol 625 cc154-5WA
Lord Tanlaw

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of rural post offices have access through their local telephone exchange to broadband data transmission in Scotland, England and Wales. [HL1928]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

I understand from the Post Office that, as at 26 April, 97.83 per cent of all post offices have access through their local telephone exchanges to broadband data transmission in Scotland, England and Wales. I also understand that the Post Office classify some 8,000 post offices as rural but that it is not currently possible to identify within the total the number of rural post offices having access through their local telephone exchanges to broadband data transmission.

Lord Tanlaw

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of rural post offices have applied for planning permission to install satellite receiver dishes for broadband data transmission in order to administer improved financial and other services to their local communities in Scotland, England and Wales. [HL1929]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

I understand from the Post Office that, as at 26 April, 1.24 per cent of all post offices have applied for planning permission to install satellite receiver dishes for broadband data transmission in Scotland, England and Wales for the Horizon service. I also understand that the Post Office classify some 8,000 post offices as rural but that it is not currently possible to identify within the total the percentage of rural post offices that have applied for planning permission to install satellite receiver dishes for broadband data transmission.

Lord Tanlaw

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of rural post offices employ computer literate staff capable of operating broadband data communications systems in administering improved financial and other services to their local communities in Scotland, England and Wales. [HL1930]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

I understand from the Post Office that, as at 26 April, 98.61 per cent of all post offices employ computer literate staff capable of operating broadband data communications systems for the Horizon service in Scotland, England and Wales. I also understand that the Post Office classify some 8,000 post offices as rural but that it is not currently possible to identify within the total the percentage of rural post offices that employ computer literate staff capable of operating broadband data communications systems.