Hypocrisy rules OK: Senior MPs failing IT test

silicon.com's investigation into MPs' use of email and the internet paints a worrying picture. Some backbenchers are rushing to embrace technology, while their higher-profile colleagues remain very much attached to pen and paper.

This is despite recent government initiatives to encourage the use of IT in Whitehall and the country at large.

The biggest frustration for the new race of 'wired' MPs remains the black hole of internal government communications.

Conservative MP for South Dorset, Ian Bruce, said he very rarely emails government colleagues. "Despite what they say, government ministers are not set up to use email in the way the rest of us use it," he told silicon.com.

According to some MPs, ministerial departments seldom reply to email requests, preferring instead to stick to snail mail. Tory MP Ian Taylor and Labour MP Derek Wyatt both regularly receive written replies to their electronic messages.

For David Lidington, Aylesbury's Conservative MP, there's no point even trying. "I don't yet trust government not to lose emails," he said.

The findings fly in the face of Tony Blair's commitment to online government and contradict government claims that Whitehall is becoming increasingly wired. Its Knowledge Network, launched in October 2000, was intended to connect 55,000 government users through a nationwide intranet.

Earlier this month, e-envoy Andrew Pinder claimed the project was already proving a success.

"The Knowledge Network project is already changing the way officials in government are able to share information and knowledge with each other, work collaboratively and modernise the way they work," he claimed.

In contrast, MPs are finding email communication with constituents is on the up. "My constituents email me on an increasing basis and I encourage it," said Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley.

"A fast growing number of constituents are contacting me by email," added Dr Peter Brand, Liberal Democrat MP for the Isle of Wight.

But the increased communication is not without its drawbacks, according to the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, Tony McWalter. "I try to avoid [emails] because I lack the staff to be able to handle the resulting increased caseload. This will change if the senior salaries review recommendations are adopted," he added.