HC Deb 19 March 2003 vol 401 c789W
Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have visited the Friends of Scotland website from(a)the UK and (b)outside the UK. [102997]

Mrs. Liddell

Since its launch in July 2002, the Friends of Scotland web-site has proved highly successful. As at end February, it recorded 1,760,685 hits. There were 41,221 visits to the site; 26,290 (63.8 per cent.)with international domain names and a further 5,956 visits where the origin cannot be identified.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost has been of(a)setting up and (b)maintaining the Friends of Scotland website. [102998]

Mrs. Liddell

The current Friends of Scotland website was established on 23 July 2002. The start up cost was £73,583 including VAT. The website is proving to be a major success and continues to evolve and develop. As at end February, the estimated cost of maintenance and further development of the site is £43,000.