HC Deb 23 May 2002 vol 386 cc558-61W
Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is being done to increase the usage of Government Departments and agencies websites and the take-up of their electronic services. [55989]

Mr. Leslie

A survey published by the Office for National Statistics in April 2002 shows that 19 per cent. of UK internet users have used or accessed government/official services online.

The UK online national media campaign is playing a key role in persuading more individuals to get online and enjoy the benefits of e-commerce and e-government services. In addition, the range and scope of take-up targets for e-services are being considered as part of the Spending Review.

Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made by each Government Department and agency towards the Prime Minister's target for electronically available services by 2005. [55984]

Mr. Leslie

The last survey of Department's progress in meeting the target showed that just over half of services (274) are available electronically. The following breakdown by Departments and agencies was included in the National Audit Office report, "Better Public Services through e-government", published on 4 April 2002:

Number
British Trade International 1
Department for Culture, Media and Sport 4
Department for Education and Skills 36
Department for International Development 2
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 54
Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 45
Department for Work and Pensions 5
Department of Health 14
Department of Trade and Industry 32
Export Credits Guarantee Department 2
Foreign and Commonwealth Office 8
HM Treasury 6
Home Office 29
Land Registry 1
Lord Chancellor's Department 4
Ministry of Defence 14
Office for National Statistics 3
Ordnance Survey 7
Public Record Office 7

Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are being taken to encourage Government sector agencies to put in place management information to monitor usage of their websites and electronic services, and to play back this information to the content providers and divisions responsible for originating web materials and internet services. [56001]

Mr. Leslie

Since December 1999 Government webmasters have been tasked with collecting particular statistics on usage. This advice has been updated and revised in the "Guidelines for UK Government Websites: Framework for Senior Managers" published in November 2001.

A much larger handbook for web management teams, that was widely consulted on within Government for a year and is scheduled for final publication in mid-May, recommends customer relationship management techniques and other means for ensuring evaluation of websites. The forthcoming "Quality Framework for UK Government Web Design" gives guidance in building in user testing in order to continually improve website content.

A newly-developed central infrastructure being delivered by the Office of the e-Envoy will provide central server hosting and applications. A new statistical analysis solution will be part of the offering for Departments that use this service.

Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister of the central Government Departments and agencies required to meet the Prime Minister's target for electronically available services by 2005, how many hits the(a) most and (b) least used have received in the last year; and what steps are being taken to analyse user behaviour. [56000]

Mr. Leslie

The latest Office for National Statistics data shows that 3.84 million citizens use the internet to use or access Government services.

Since 1999 all Government websites have been given guidance on the key statistics they should collect. The "Guidelines for UK Government Websites" specify that at a minimum:

  • the number of users (visitors)
  • number of visits (unique visits)
  • and number of page impressions (page views)
should be collected. Further performance and access statistics are recommended in addition to these minimum statistics.

However, such information is not currently collated centrally. The Government are examining the nature and adequacy of the statistics available on Government websites as part of the process of considering its response to the NAO report, 'Government on the Web II'.

Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the role played by the development of electronic public services in making the UK a congenial location for e-business and e-commerce to develop. [55874]

Mr. Leslie

The Government recognise the key role played by electronic service delivery on the development of the UK's e-commerce environment. The scale of Government interaction with business and the public, through its own supply and distribution chains, places it in a position to be a strong driver of e-commerce.

A broad assessment was published in "e-commerce@its.best.uk" in 1999. Subsequently our strategy for leveraging e-Government as a key driver for growth of the wider e-economy has been set out in the UK online annual reports published by the e-Minister and the e-Envoy in 2000 and 2001.

Dr. Kumar

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information he publishes about the development of central Government services on the web. [55988]

Mr. Leslie

The second UK online annual report was published by the e-Minister and e-Envoy in December 2001. The report sets out the progress that has been made in meeting the Government's objectives for being at the forefront of the knowledge economy.

Among its five overarching themes is 'getting Government online'. The report also provides an updated UK online strategy, setting out the commitments made by the Government to further the e-Agenda.

Each month, the e-Minister and e-Envoy provide a joint report to the Prime Minister. These reports set out the progress on the UK online strategy.

There are also a number of development frameworks and guidance documents published. Among the key documents are:

  • e-Government Interoperability Framework Version 4
  • e-Government Metadata Standard
  • Guidelines for UK Government Websites: Framework for Senior Managers
  • Framework for e-Service Delivery.
All these documents can be downloaded for the publication option on the office of the e-Envoy website www.e-envoy.gov.uk.

Information on the Government Gateway is available from: http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/gateway—partnerlink/