HL Deb 15 April 2002 vol 633 cc138-9WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they respond to the joint study by IBM and Local Futures delineating a growing digital divide between rural and urban areas; and what plans they have to address the problems outlined by the study. [HL3159]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)

The Government are committed to ensuring that everyone in the UK who wants it will have access to the Internet by 2005.

In September 2000 the Government set out a comprehensive strategy for achieving universal access in the UK Online annual report. The Office of the e-Envoy is leading the drive to get the UK online.

Further details of the UK online strategy can be found at www.e-envoy.gov.uk/ukonline/progress/anrep2001/.