To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) purpose and (b) budget is of the national geospatial metadata service. (103932)

The geospatial metadata service (www.gigateway.org.uk) increases awareness of and access to geospatial information. This helps to improve decision making and reduce duplication of effort and cost.

In 2005-06, gigateway cost £376,923.