HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 c516W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) if he will list, by subject, the statistics that have been collected for the first time at constituency level under the Knowledge Network project, stating in each case the date on which the first in the series was completed; if he will place a copy of the most recent of each set of statistics listed in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [135301]

(2) which information held on the Knowledge Network computer system will not be available to (a) the public and (b) hon. Members; and if he will make a statement; [135305]

(3) what the cost has been to date of the new Knowledge Network system; and if he will make a statement. [135306]

Mr. Alexander

The Knowledge Network is a government-wide electronic communications tool promoting collaborative working both within and between departments as part of the modernisation and e-government initiatives. The Network does not collect statistics by subject at constituency level.

Access to the Knowledge Network is restricted to Ministers and civil servants via the Government Secure Intranet. There is currently no access to the Knowledge Network other than for these groups. The UKonline website provides a range of government services and information to the public and is an easy entry point for people who want to search government information and find out about local services.

Since its inception in 1999, the Knowledge Network project has cost £13.7 million to develop and manage. £10 million of this was from the Capital Modernisation Fund to improve information sharing across Government.