News Release

22nd April 2002

FABRICANT TO LEAD PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO SCOTLAND

In his capacity as Chairman of the House of Commons Information Committee, Michael Fabricant will be leading a delegation of Westminster Parliamentarians and officials to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for two days on Wednesday 24th April. "Although Westminster is the second oldest Parliament in the world, we have a lot to learn from the new Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh in some respects.", says Michael Fabricant. The visit will investigate how the Scottish Parliament uses the latest technology for its Information and Communication systems for Members of the Scottish Parliament and how it disseminates research from its Library. There will be meetings with senior MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) and officials and demonstrations of equipment.

The delegation will comprise members of the Information Committee (including fellow midlands MP, Peter Luff), the Head of the House of Commons Library (which not only provides extensive reference material, but also research and other services for Members of Parliament), and the Director of Parliamentary Communications who provides the computer and telephony systems throughout the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

"MPs are expected to stay on top of an overwhelming volume of information from an ever-burgeoning number of sources and to provide immediate responses." adds Michael Fabricant. "Our effectiveness in being able to contribute to the development of quality legislation, scrutinise government policy and performance, and satisfy constituency responsibilities is being adversely affected by severe time constraints. We need a step change in the quality and delivery of our information management services. This visit to Edinburgh is a small part of a major exercise to improve those services to Members of Parliament and, through them, the general public".