Written question asked by John Battle (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many (a) homes and (b) businesses in Leeds have a broadband connection; whether all homes and businesses have access to a broadband connection; and if she will make a statement. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) homes and (b) businesses in Leeds have a broadband connection; whether all homes and businesses have access to a broadband connection; and if she will make a statement. [116018] Mr. Timms: The data for broadband take-up and availability are not available at the level of detail requested. At a national level the UK broadband market is making significant progress. On 22 May 2003 we announced that the UK had passed two million broadband subscribers across the UK and at the end of March 72 per cent. of the UK population had access to a terrestrial broadband service. By this measure, broadband availability is now equal with that in the USA and ahead of other major markets such as France and Italy.

Secondary information