HC Deb 09 July 2002 vol 388 cc835-6W
36. Siobhain McDonagh

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the 1901 online census service will be fully functional. [65333]

Ms Rosie Winterton

I cannot give a firm date when the 1901 Census will be fully functional. However I can state that QinetiQ Ltd., who are the contractors responsible for setting up the site and providing the online service, have been making technical improvements to it. QinetiQ Ltd. is currently testing the site and the Public Record Office is also carrying out its own independent test programme. Once the final results of these tests are available, it will be possible to decide whether the service is sufficiently robust for it to go live. The final testing is under way and we anticipate that it will be completed by the end of July.

Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the 1901 Census Online is expected to be available at service centres; and at what date he expects that Internet access will be restored to the Census. [67577]

Ms Rosie Winterton

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this day to the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh).