HC Deb 16 July 2002 vol 389 cc182-3W
Rob Marris

To ask the President of the Council if he will make a statement on E-democracy. [68012]

Mr. Robin Cook

The Government will today publish "In the service of democracy, a consultation paper on a policy for electronic democracy". Copies of the paper are

available in the Vote Office, Libraries of the House and on the new e-democracy website www.edemocracy.gov.uk. A copy of the paper will be sent to all MPs and Peers.

Our strategy for e-democracy offers new ways of participating and seeks to complement rather than replace existing structures. The paper sets out our aim of using new technologies to promote, strengthen and enhance our democratic structures.

Government action is proposed in two main areas, e-participation and e-voting. We outline new ways in which the mechanisms of democracy can be enhanced, by modernising voting methods, improving access to ballots and broadening the scope of Government consultations.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) provide a means to increase public participation, and we hope that with an active Government policy the potential benefits can be maximised.

The period of public consultation will end on Wednesday 31 October 2002.