Parliamentary News Release

042/2004

6 September 2004

PARLIAMENT LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The Scottish Parliament has launched its new improved website today. Building on the success of the ‘Webby' nominated predecessor, it will continue to be a valuable resource but now has a brand new look, increased user-friendliness and some exciting new features.

Probably the most innovative of these is the MSP biographical pages which include individual interviews with Members filmed in the new building during the summer.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer George Reid said:

”It's the first time any parliament anywhere in the world has presented the public with such a new and engaging way of finding out about their representatives. The Parliament continues to be a forerunner in its efforts to engage and interact with the Scottish people and those further afield.”

Other features include:

• A dedicated page for each committee with up-to-date information on consultations and links to related papers and reports.

• An interactive educational section which includes resources, games and quizzes catering for children and young people from preschool to secondary school age.

• An online update service which sends subscribers information about the latest parliamentary events.

Also launched today is the Parliament's new webcasting site Holyrood.tv which takes over from the popular scottishparliamentlive.com.

The new domain www.holyrood.tv will have live coverage of proceedings in the Main Chamber and all six committee rooms as well as an archive of business from the previous two weeks.

Media are invited to explore the new website on Monday 6 September. Laptop computers will be available in the Parliament's Main Hall from 10.30am.

Background

The website address remains unchanged as www.scottish.parliament.uk.  

The new website is available from today - Monday 6 September.

The new design project was led and managed over the last nine months by an in-house team.

The contact for members of the media is:

Richard Holligan: 0131 348 6269
email: richard.holligan@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000
For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome on 018001
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk