§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on which areas of the United Kingdom do not have access to broadband technologies. [9277]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 23 October 2001]: Broadband services via leased line or satellite are widely available around the country. Around 66 per cent. of the population are able to access cable, ADSL or wireless technologies. A geographical breakdown can be found in "UK Online: the broadband future", published in February 2001.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans have been put forward by(a) the Scottish Executive, (b) the Welsh Assembly and (c) regional development agencies for the fund designed to develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks. [9278]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 23 October 2001]: The devolved Administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the English regional development agencies, are all in the process of developing action plans for the £30 million fund, consulting with the Government and local stakeholders. The plans will be announced in due course.