HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 cc252-3W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department is revising its internal guidance to staff on writing and distributing e-mails; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's current internal guidance on e-mail procedures. [152053]

Dr. Moonie

Current Ministry of Defence (MOD) corporate policy and guidance concerning the use of e-mail is contained in two documents: Defence Council instruction (DCI) 156/00, which sets out policy and guidance on the use of e-mail, and DCI 272/00, which concerns conduct matters relating to the use of IT systems, including e-mail communications. In addition, most of MOD's IT systems have local operating procedures that may provide additional guidance for users.

MOD is in the process of producing a single publication covering all aspects of electronic working, including the use of e-mail. This will consolidate existing policy and guidance, update this in the light of our growing experience of electronic working and of recent legislation, as well as provide advice on best practice. Our aim is to improve MOD's working processes and the quality of life at work for our employees, as we 11 as promote the efficient and effective management of information in defence.

I am arranging for copies of MOD's current policy documents on the use of e-mail, DCIs 156/00 and 272/00, to be placed in the Library of the House.