§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of schools have access to broadband-enabled internet, broken down by those in(a) urban, (b) rural and (c) deprived areas. [168668]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeBy the end of March 2004, 60 per cent. of schools had access to broadband connectivity and we are on track to connect all schools by 2006. My Department does not hold information on the percentage of schools in deprived areas with access to broadband, or regularly collect such information for rural schools. The most recent position for which data on rural schools is available is August 2003, at which point 42 per cent. of all schools and 33 per cent. of rural schools were connected to broadband.