§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many libraries(a) nationally and (b) in the Buckingham constituency are linked to the National Grid for Learning; [23746]
(2) how many library service points (a) nationally and (b) in the Buckingham constituency are internet connected; and what the figures were in 1997. [23745]
§ Dr. HowellsAll public libraries connected to the internet have access to the National Grid for Learning. Currently 2,782 public libraries are connected to the internet, which constitutes 67 per cent, of all public libraries in the UK. 100 per cent. will be connected by the end of 2002. In Buckinghamshire library authority all 36 public libraries are connected to the internet, of which eight are in Buckingham constituency. Figures for Buckingham in 1997 are unavailable, but nationally 184 libraries had public internet access in that year.