Yesterday afternoon, Industry Secretary Lord Young published his White Paper in response to the Trade & Industry Select Committee Report that outlined the Government’s information technology policy. Highlights were the contribution of UKP147m to programmes for schools, research and development and technology transfer, as well as the setting up of consultancy projects. Lowlights were that there will not be a Minister or depart-ment with special responsibility for information technology – the role in which Kenneth Baker made his name; that government should not be viewed as a single purchaser for the computer industry, so that each department will continue to do its own thing with overall guidance. The roles of the Department of Trade & Industry and the Central Computer & Telecommunications Agency will not be realigned; more details tomorrow.
