To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many websites there are within his responsibilities; and what the total cost of maintaining such websites was in the last year for which figures are available. (79062)

We operate one core DTI website, www.dti.gov.uk, within which there are links to a wider community of websites managed by partner agencies and other arm’s length bodies. We are aware of 48 DTI websites hosted by other domains.

The support for the Department’s core website is included in the overall service charge paid monthly under the IT service contract in place since 1 April 1999. There is no separation of website costs in this charge.

Information about the Department’s other websites is not held centrally and to gather it would involve disproportionate cost.