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WEDNESDAY 18 JULY 2001
Members present:
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Michael Connarty |
| Julia Drown |
Michael Fabricant |
| Mr Neil Gerrard |
Mr Peter Luff |
| Ann McKechin |
Margaret Moran |
| Mr Gwyn Prosser |
1. Declaration of Interests
Members disclosed pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests pursuant to the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 3
2. Election of Chairman
Motion made, That Michael Fabricant do take the Chair of the Committee.—(Mr Peter Luff.)
Motion made, That Mr Richard Allan do take the Chair of the Committee.—(Mr Michael Connarty.)
Resolved, That, at this day's sitting, Mr Neil Gerrard do take the Chair of the Committee.—(Mr Peter Luff.)
Mr Neil Gerrard accordingly took the Chair.
3. Time of Meetings
Resolved, That the Committee do normally meet on Mondays at half-past Four o'clock.—(The Chairman.)
4. Oral Evidence
Ordered, That oral evidence in connection with an inquiry by the Committee be taken in public unless ordered otherwise.—(The Chairman.)
5. Fourth European Conference on Information and Communication Technologies
Ordered, That Mr Richard Allan and Mr Peter Luff be proposed to Mr Speaker as representatives of the House at the Fourth European Conference on Information and Communications Technologies at Helsinki in September 2001.—(The Chairman.)
6. Performance of the Library
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved, That the Committee do take note of the review of performance by the Library in 2000-01.—(The Chairman.)
7. Webcasting
Resolved, That the Committee supports the proposal for webcasting proceedings in the Commons Chamber, the Lords Chamber and Westminster Hall.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 22 October at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2001
Members present:
| Mr Richard Allan |
Julia Drown |
| Michael Fabricant Mr Neil Gerrard |
Ann McKechin |
| Mr Peter Luff |
Margaret Moran |
8. Election of Chairman
Michael Fabricant was called to the Chair.
Ordered, That the Chairman do report his election to the House.
9. Board of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) (INF/004)
Resolved, That the Committee do nominate Mr Richard Allan and Margaret Moran as members of the Board of POST (the Board of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology).—(The Chairman.)
10. Central provision of IT equipment for Members (INF/006)
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved, That the Committee do propose to the Speaker's Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances that resources be provided to support the sharing of printers in Members' offices.—(The Chairman.)
11. Remote access
The Committee further deliberated.
12. Arrangements at dissolution
Resolved, That arrangements for Information Technology services provided to ex-Members during the period of dissolution have generally worked well.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That clearer guidance on the status of Members' websites during dissolution be sought before the next dissolution of the House; and that the Committee do hold discussions with the Electoral Commission on the matter.—(The Chairman.)
13. E-democracy
The Committee further deliberated.
14. Surplus IT equipment
Ordered, That, subject to advice on licencing, Members should be invited to dispose of surplus IT equipment to charitable organisations.—(Margaret Moran.)
15. Future meetings
Resolved, That the Committee do meet approximately fortnightly.—(Margaret Moran.)
[Adjourned till Monday 5 November at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2001
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Peter Luff |
| Ann McKechin |
Margaret Moran |
1. Webcasting
The Committee deliberated.
2. E-democracy (INF/010 and INF/012)
Ordered, That the Chairman do write to the Chairman of the Committee on Modernisation of the House to inform him of the Committee's proposal to hold an inquiry into e-democracy and associated matters.—(Margaret Moran.)
The Committee further deliberated.
3. Intranet news services (INF/011)
The Committee further deliberated.
[Adjourned till Monday 19 November at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2001
[The Committee met concurrently with the House of Lords Library
and Computers Sub-committee]
Members present:
| Mr Richard Allan |
Michael Fabricant |
| Mr Peter Luff |
Ann McKechin |
| Margaret Moran |
The following members of the House of Lords Library and Computers Sub-committee were also present, pursuant to Standing Order No. 137A (Select committees: power to work with other committees):
| B. Gale |
B.Gardner of Parkes |
| L. Hobhouse of Woodborough |
E. Listowel |
| L. Lucas |
L. Methuen |
| L. Mitchell |
L. Renfrew of Kaimsthorn |
| E. Sandwich |
B. Wilkins |
Michael Fabricant was called to the Chair.
1. Information Systems Strategies (INF/016)
Resolved, That the Committees take note of the paper by Mr Joe O'Meara, Head of the Information Architecture Support Unit.—(The Chairman.)
2. Remote access (INF/017)
Resolved, That the Committees take note of the paper by Mr Matthew Taylor, Director of Communications.—(The Chairman.)
3. Parliamentary website (INF/018)
Resolved, That the Committees take note of the paper by Mr John Collins, Chairman of the Website Redesign Project Board.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 3 December at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 3 DECEMBER 2001
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Neil Gerrard |
Mr Peter Luff |
| John Mann |
1. Intranet news services
The Committee deliberated.
2. Library stock of older books (INF/019 and INF/020)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of the paper by the Clerk of the Committee and the recommendations by the Chairman; and that the Committee recommends to the House of Commons Commission that the Chairman's proposals be adopted.—(The Chairman.)
3. Constituency Locata service (INF/021)
The Committee further deliberated.
4. Parliamentary telephone system (INF/024 and INF/025)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of a paper by Dr Gareth Williams, Programme Manager, Parliamentary Communications Department.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Parliamentary Communications Directorate be asked to provide more information on the diversion of calls.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 21 January 2002 at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 21 JANUARY 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Mr Peter Luff |
Ann McKechin |
| Mr Gwyn Prosser |
1. Central provision of IT equipment for Members (INF/027 and INF/028)
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved, That the Committee do propose to the Speaker's Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances that resources be provided to allow Members to order two high-specification printers.—(The Chairman.)
2. Intranet news services (INF/029)
Resolved, That the Committee supports the Library's decision to make the news service provided by Lexis-Nexis available to Members on the Parliamentary Data and Video Network.—(The Chairman.)
3. Information about Members of the House (INF/030)
Resolved, That the Committee supports proposals by the Library to develop an electronic database of information about Members.—(The Chairman.)
4. Parliamentary telephone system
The Committee further deliberated.
[Adjourned till Monday 11 February at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| John Mann |
Ann McKechin |
| Margaret Moran |
Mr Gwyn Prosser |
| Jim Sheridan |
1. Speaker's Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances
Resolved, That the Committee takes note that the Speaker's Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances will consult with the Committee on certain issues within the Panel's remit, such as technical and non-urgent matters relating to IT equipment for Members.—(The Chairman.)
2. Parliamentary telephone system (INF/032)
Resolved, That the Committee recommends that technical work be carried out to enable Members to divert telephone calls made to their Westminster offices to external numbers.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek the approval of the Finance and Services Committee.—(The Chairman.)
3. International calls (INF/031)
Resolved, That the Committee recommends that Members be permitted to make direct-dial international calls from their Westminster offices for a twelve-month period.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek the approval of the Finance and Services Committee.—(The Chairman.)
4. Committee inquiry
Resolved, That the Committee do inquire into the use of technology to enhance communication between the public and Parliament.—(Margaret Moran.)
[Adjourned till Monday 4 March at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 4 MARCH 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Peter Luff |
| Ann McKechin |
Mr Gwyn Prosser |
| Jim Sheridan |
1. Library stock of older books
The Committee deliberated.
2. Committee inquiry (INF/034 and INF/035)
Ordered, That Dr Stephen Coleman be appointed a Specialist Adviser to assist the Committee in its inquiry into the use of technology to improve communication between the public and Parliament.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That a videoconference should be held with one or more Members of the Canadian House of Commons.—(Mr Richard Allan.)
Resolved, That the Committee do visit the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly in connection with the inquiry.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 25 March at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 25 MARCH 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Peter Luff |
| John Mann |
Ann McKechin |
| Margaret Moran |
1. Remote access
The Committee deliberated.
2. Committee inquiry (INF/038)
Resolved, That the Committee do hold a seminar with the National Forum for the Internet and Democracy.—(Mr Richard Allan.)
The Committee further deliberated.
3. Arrangements for booking special IT services in the House (INF/036)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of a paper by the Serjeant at Arms.—(The Chairman.)
4. Desktop operating support (INF/037)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of the paper by the Director of Communications and supports the approach proposed.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 15 April at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 15 APRIL 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Mr Peter Luff |
John Mann |
| Mr Gwyn Prosser |
Jim Sheridan |
1. Remote access
The Committee deliberated.
2. Parliamentary telephone system
The Committee further deliberated.
3. Parliamentary website: biographical information about Members (INF/039)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of the paper by the Library's Director of Information Systems and supports the approach proposed.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 29 April at twenty-five minutes to Four o'clock.
MONDAY 29 APRIL 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Ann McKechin |
John Mann |
| Margaret Moran |
1. Committee inquiry
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Monday 13 May at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 13 MAY 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Ann McKechin |
Margaret Moran |
| Mr Gwyn Prosser |
Jim Sheridan |
1. Committee inquiry
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned till Monday 20 May at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 20 MAY 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Mr Peter Luff |
John Mann |
| Margaret Moran |
Mr Gwyn Prosser |
1. Provision of ISDN lines for Members' offices in Westminster (INF/044)
The Committee deliberated.
2. Committee inquiry
The Committee further deliberated.
[Adjourned till Monday 24 June at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 24 JUNE 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Mr Peter Luff |
Mr Gwyn Prosser |
| Jim Sheridan |
1. Parliamentary website
The Committee deliberated.
2. Committee inquiry
The Committee further deliberated.
3. Central provision of IT equipment for Members
The Committee further deliberated.
[Adjourned till Monday 8 July at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 8 JULY 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
John Mann |
| Ann McKechin |
Margaret Moran |
| Jim Sheridan |
1. Committee inquiry
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Digital Technology: Working for Parliament and the Public), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read for the first time.
[The Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report from the Committee, HC 1065 (2001-02) p.32]
[Adjourned till Monday 15 July at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 15 JULY 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| John Mann |
Ann McKechin |
1. Parliamentary telephone system
Resolved, That the Committee takes note that the necessary technical work to enable the diversion of calls from Members' offices to external numbers will be completed by the summer recess.—(The Chairman.)
The Committee deliberated.
2. Remote access
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of progress in establishing a Virtual Private Network for users of the Parliamentary Data and Video Network.—(The Chairman.)
3. Members' websites (INF/051)
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of draft guidance from the Department of Finance and Administration concerning the use of Members' allowances for establishment and maintenance of Members' websites.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 21 October at half-past Four o'clock.
MONDAY 21 OCTOBER 2002
Members present:
Michael Fabricant, in the Chair
| Mr Richard Allan |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Ann McKechin |
Margaret Moran |
| Mr Gwyn Prosser |
Jim Sheridan |
1. E-mail
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of a statement by the Director of Communications concerning the privacy of Members' and Members' staff's e-mail.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee do investigate ways of dealing with "spam" and other unwanted e-mail received by users of the Parliamentary Data and Video Network; and that the Serjeant at Arms and other House officials do provide a paper for discussion at a future meeting.—(Margaret Moran.)
2. Remote access
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of further progress in establishing a Virtual Private Network for users of the Parliamentary Data and Video Network.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Parliamentary Communications Directorate do seek the advice of the Committee on draft guidance to be issued to Members of the House.—(The Chairman.)
3. Windows 2000
Resolved, That the Committee takes note of developments in the project to install a new standard operating system in Parliament.—(The Chairman.)
4. Fifth European Conference on Information and Communications Technologies
Ordered, That Mr Richard Allan, John Mann and Margaret Moran be proposed to Mr Speaker as representatives of the House at the Fifth European Conference on Information and Communications Technologies at Brussels in November 2002.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned till Monday 18 November at half-past Four o'clock.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (APPENDIX)
18 July 2001
Mr Michael Connarty declared remunerated employment as a member of a Business Planning and Research International (BPRI) Political Opinion Panel; and as a member of a Harris Parliamentary Panel. He also declared occasional fees for journalism and media appearances. He declared a study tour of wind power sites in Denmark in October 2000, sponsored by National Windpower (UK); attendance at the Jubilee Celebrations for Parliamentarians in Rome in November 2000, the accommodation costs of which were met by the Italian Senate; and a visit to Poland in 2001 on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group on EU Enlargement, the costs of which were met by the Government of Poland.
Julia Drown declared remuneration from occasional participation in opinion polls and as a member of a Harris Parliamentary Panel. She also declared donations to her constituency party from the Political Animal Lobby Society and from Mr John Harris, Chair of the Coal Authority. She also declared membership of the TGWU, UNISON and CIPFA.
Michael Fabricant declared remuneration for occasional contributions to the press and to broadcast media, and as Parliamentary reviewer for the Institution of Electrical Engineers on engineering matters. He also declared the provision, free of charge, by Sol Net Systems Limited of an internet site detailing his parliamentary and constituency work. He also declared ownership of a house in Maine, USA, lived in by friends who maintained the property but paid no rent. Lastly, he declared contributions to his general election campaign exceeding 25 per cent of his expenses from Arthur Price of England Ltd and the Gothard Trust.
Mr Neil Gerrard declared remuneration from membership of a Harris Parliamentary Panel. He declared membership of a Commission of Inquiry established to inquire into the status of Palestinian refugees under United Nations Resolution 194: the Commission received donations from Mr A Qattan, the Council of Arab Ambassadors in London. He also declared a visit in May 2000 to Kosovo, arranged and paid for by the British Refugee Council, and a visit in September 2000 to the West Bank, Gaza, Amman, Damascus and Beirut, for which travel and expenses were paid for by the aforementioned Commission of Inquiry, and accommodation expenses were paid for by the Meridien Hotel Group. He also declared unremunerated interests as a member of the Board, Theatre Royal, Stratford, East London; a member of the Board of Trustees, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme; and a member of the Board of Trustees, European Public Health Foundation.
Ann McKechin declared remuneration from work as a solicitor acting as curator on two estates.
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