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Abstract

The rapid increase in UK government information, brought about by restructuring, Next Steps programme, Citizen’s Charter and Open Government, makes it increasingly difficult for users to trace and exploit what is available. Examines the influence of these factors on the growing numbers of CD-ROM and online databases and faxback services with particular reference to the adoption of the Information Society Initiative strategy which aims to make every UK individual able and confident in using the latest information technology. Pays particular attention to the availability of information sources from the government and government departments via the Internet and World Wide Web noting: the availability of Hansard on the Internet; the Access Business project; and the setting up by the Cabinet Office of the direct.link service for organizations providing public services electronically. Concludes with brief notes on other non-Internet electronic sources of governmentrelated information.

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References

[1] Improving Management in Government: the Next Steps. HMSO, 1988.

[2] The Citizen’s Charter: Raising the Standard.HMSO, 1991 (Cm 1599).

[3] Treasury Web site. URL: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

[4] Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, 2nd edn, Cabinet Office , 1997.

[5] Information Society: Agenda for Action in the UK, House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Tecnology , July 1996. (Session 1995–96, 5th report, HL Paper 77.) ISBN 0104077964.

[6] Government Direct: a Prospectus for the Delivery of Electronic Government, Cabinet Office Central IT Unit , November 1996. (Cm 3438) ISBN 0101343825.

[7] Cabinet Office Press Release 59/97 of 23 July 1997.

[8] Cabinet Office Press Release 75/97 of 26 August 1997. For further information on direct.link contact the Central Information Technology Unit (part of the Cabinet Office) at Hampton House, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ – e-mail: direct.link@citu.gov.uk.

[9] T. Owen , Information and the tax payer – an agenda for business , Business Information Review, 14(2), June 1997, pp. 59–63 .

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[10] HSELINE – contact Knight-Ridder. Tel. + 44 (0)171930 5503.

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[11] HSE AUTOFAX – the index to the service can be retrieved by dialling 0839 060606 from the telephone linked to the fax machine. Details are available in their List of Free Publications.

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[12] OSH-CD Stationery Office Electronic Publishing. Tel. + 44 (0)171 873 8236.

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[13] ONS Statfax – further information from their helpline. Tel. + 44 (0) 1371 832656.

Government departments: developments in the delivery of information

Abstract

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