Information technology

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on information technology. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
05.10.2011Home Computer Schemes
This note updates Government schemes for funding computers in the home, and to increase internet access.
31.03.2010Internet access
Internet access: By Rachael Harker. SN/SG/2663. This Note provides a summary of information about households with home access to the Internet and individuals' use of the Internet.
27.05.2009Electronic Government
This Standard Note describes e-Government, outlines Government efforts in this field, and related issues.

Research Papers

DateDescription
15.12.2006Statistics and Registration Service Bill (Bill 8 2006-07)
The Statistics and Registration Service Bill (Bill 8 2006-07). House of Commons Library Research Paper 06/66.
27.07.2000Regional competitiveness and the role of the knowledge economy
Regional competitiveness and the role of the knowledge economy. House of Commons Research Paper 00/73.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
15.09.2011Unauthorised tapping into or hacking of mobile communications.
Government response. Home Office report [Commons]
18.07.2011The national programme for NHS IT.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
22.06.2011Cross-government: Information and Communications Technology in government: Landscape review.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
28.04.2011Video games industry in Scotland.
Government response. Scotland Office report [Commons]
09.02.2010Broadband speed.
Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
11.01.2012WIDE MINDS NETWORK
That this House congratulates the work of Wide Minds, or WiMi, a network that acts as a forum for innovation and best practice in digital learning; notes that WiMi has a presence in ...
25.11.2011NEXT GEN SKILLS LAUNCH
That this House welcomes the launch of Next Gen Skills, a major new campaign by the UK's leading video games, visual effects, advertising and software technology firms, together with ...
25.10.201115th ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION
That this House congratulates the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) on reaching its 15th anniversary year; supports its continued success in tackling criminal online content in the UK ...
18.10.2011CCTV IN UK SLAUGHTERHOUSES
That this House calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals for the mandatory installation of CCTV in UK slaughterhouses; expresses concern that eight of the nine ...
21.06.2011PUBLIC WHIP WEBSITE
That this House believes that constituents have the right to know how hon. Members vote; recognises the important work of the Public Whip website over the past eight years in explaining ...

POST Papers

DateDescription
31.05.2013Monitoring Internet Communications
Internet communications are often monitored to investigate criminal activity. Recent attempts to update UK regulation of investigatory powers have generated controversy. This POSTnote explains the use of different internet monitoring methods and discusses the impact of evolving technologies.
25.04.2013Managing Online Identity
08.03.2013STEM education for 14-19 year olds
This POSTnote reviews the current state of STEM education for 14-19 year olds in the UK, highlighting key challenges and ongoing policy reforms.
17.12.2012Machine to Machine Communication
Machine to machine (M2M) communication will allow the connection of billions of 'smart' devices and enable new ways of living and working. This note examines the potential of M2M, the common infrastructure that underlies many applications and the technological barriers to implementation.
11.07.2012Open Source and Open Standards
This note examines the quality, cost and security of OSS and considers government plans to adopt open standards.
22.05.2012POSTnote 411 ICT for Disabled People
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) underpin many aspects of modern living, so for the 10 million disabled people in the UK access to ICT is an important factor in their quality of life. This POSTnote summarises the issues that disabled people face in using ICT and looks at progress towards achieving equivalent access to services for disabled and non-disabled users.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords