Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Wilcox (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 June 2010.

Internet: Broadband

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the National Audit Office to investigate the procurement of contracts entered into by Accelerate Nottingham and the management of broadband services by the Director of Accelerate Nottingham; what grants or other payments have been paid in each of the last six years to Accelerate Nottingham by Government departments or bodies; and what payments have been made to (a) Community Broadband Network Ltd since 2004, and (b) Independent Networks Co-operative Association Ltd since its formation, by Accelerate Nottingham; and under what terms.

Answer: The Government do not intend to ask the National Audit Office to investigate in either case. Accelerate Nottingham was part of the DC-10 network granted £2 million by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2007. It received funding from the East Midlands Development Agency of in the period 2004-2010 as follows: 2004-£25,000; 2005-nil; 2006-£25,000; 2007-£48,500; 2008-£95,975; 2009-£58,798; and 2010-£59,934; MDDA has not received any funding from central government departments or agencies. The Government have no information as to payments by either body to the Community Broadband Network.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 610; 719 c268WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Broadband Government departments Grants Procurement National Audit Office Community Broadband Network Independent Networks Co-operative Association Accelerate Nottingham
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk