Members of the e-gov community were left open-mouthed this week when Tony Blair admitted to Parliament’s Liaison Committee that he had never visited the Directgov website, or even knew its address.
The multi-million pound venture is a key part of the government’s joined-up government policy, and represents one of the biggest IT projects in the EU.
The website boasts of its usefulness: “Directgov is the place to turn to for the latest and widest range of public service information from the UK government. Book a driving test, find a job, get advice about childcare, renew your passport and lots more.”
According to Rt Hon Ruth Kelly’s comments in Hansard on 9 December 2004, Directgov had an operational budget of £4.4 million in 2003/4, before the site launched last April.
However, when Richard Allan MP asked the PM on Tuesday: “Have you ever visited the multi-million pound central government website that you have set up to get us all to use these new electronic government facilities?”
Mr Blair replied: “I think that is a very unfair question. The answer is no.”
This is all the more shocking considering the pressure put on local authorities to integrate services online, and the berating received by those not on-track to meet the end-of-year deadline.
The Liaison Committee, which comprises the chairmen of the 34 select committees, considers general select committee business and advises the House of Commons Commission on which reports to debate in the House, with evidence provided by the Prime Minister. The committee is chaired by Rt Hon Alan Williams.