LAUNCH OF PARLIAMENT HOMEPAGE ON INTERNET (Announcement by Mr Speaker)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: I am pleased to inform hon. Members that after the adjournment today, the Parliament Homepage will be officially launched on the Internet.

Singaporeans have always been kept well-informed of Parliamentary proceedings. Our newspapers carry detailed reports of the debates in the House and television has conveyed visual images of the cut and thrust of our debates into the living rooms of our people. The media has served the people well by providing sufficient opportunities for everyone to keep abreast of the debates and decisions of the House.

Today, with Internet, we stand at the threshold of another media revolution. In 1995, the Minister for Information and the Arts estimated that there were 26,000 Internet subscribers in Singapore. A year later, we have around 100,000 Internet subscribers, and the number is growing fast. Internet is rapidly evolving into not only a rich source of information but also an important tool for communication.

The time is right for Parliament now to reach out to Singaporeans through Internet. It is in line with Singapore's vision for IT 2000 and the Public Service's goals for PS21. It is consistent with our policy of promoting open, fair and transparent institutional systems. Through Internet, the world-at-large can gain insights into our Parliamentary system. More importantly though, we hope to strengthen the bonds between the people and our law-makers.

Our Homepage aims to do this by complementing the newspaper reports and televised proceedings. While these media can convey the logic behind an argument and the passions of a debate, it cannot be fully appreciated or understood unless one is aware of the processes of Parliament.

To achieve this, our Homepage will be divided into two chapters: firstly, the Archival chapter which will contain pictures, interesting snippets and facts on Parliament's history, organisational structures and functions; and secondly, the Current Topics chapter which will list the business of the House for the next sitting. Together with the newspaper reports and televised debates, we can provide a more holistic view of the Parliamentary process.

We will continue to explore new technology and apply it when appropriate, for example, the incorporation of sound and moving images in our Homepage and having our Hansard on-line through Government Intranet and Lawnet. We will also exploit other means of communication. To this end, I am happy to announce that Parliament will also be publishing a booklet version of our Homepage to be distributed to visitors on sitting days, and to schools and public libraries.

It is my pleasure to extend an invitation to hon. Members and the press to join me later in the Government Parliamentary Party's Conference Room for the launch of the Parliament Homepage on the Internet.