HC Deb 11 July 2003 vol 408 cc1032-3W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many UK online centres were opened in (a) deprived and (b) rural wards in the northwest in 2002–03; and how many centres there are in the region. [124383]

Mr. Charles Clarke

In the north-west there are 606 centres. This represents approximately 10 per cent. of all UK online centres. 384 (63 per cent.) of north-west centres are located in deprived wards (90 per cent. coverage of all north-west deprived wards). 48 (8 per cent.) are located in rural wards. UK online centres provide people with access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).