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Dept for Education and Employment

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools, (c) universities, (d) colleges and (e) libraries are connected to the National Grid for Learning; and how many he estimates will be connected by the end of 1999. [92739] Mr. Charles Clarke: Latest estimates indicate that 51 per cent. of primary schools and 90 per cent. of secondary schools and 100 per cent. of universities are connected to the Internet. An April 1999 survey suggested that 100 per cent. of colleges of further education had internet access. Statistics collected late in 1997 found that 5 per cent. of public library service points offered public Internet access. The Library and Information Commission is currently compiling updated statistics, as part of the development of the Public Library ICT Network which will link all public libraries, where practicable, to the NGfl by 2002. While targets for connection by the end of 1999 have not been set, our aim is that all schools, colleges, universities, libraries and as many community centres as possible should be online and able to benefit from access the National Grid for Learning by 2002. To achieve this target we are supporting over £700 million of ICT-related expenditure in UK schools over this period.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

92739; 336 c177-8W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Colleges of education Libraries Internet Primary education Universities Schools Secondary education