E-envoy issues more dire warnings

Britain's e-envoy, Alex Allan, has warned British business that adopting the Internet and electronic trading is crucial to the future health of the UK economy. Sharing a platform yesterday with Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Computer Corporation, Allan spoke to industry leaders from 200 British companies at a business breakfast at the Dorchester Hotel. This latest warning comes in a week when Allan visited e-ntrepreneurs in Manchester and warned them that firms in the North still "lagged behind other parts of the country in their take-up of e-commerce". "Firms across Britain are waking up to the Internet revolution -- showing the creative spirit and business acumen needed for e-commerce to thrive," Allan said yesterday. "We want the surge to continue and for all business to realise the huge potential technology like the Internet offers." Which is interesting, because he uttered almost the exact same words earlier this week when he was in the North. Maybe his speechwriters need to have a little re-think about pumping out the same morale-boosting guff week in, week out. Anyway, just for the record, the e-envoy has five tasks. They are:

• to galvanise business in the UK to face up to the challenges of ecommerce
• to provide strategic input into the development of e-government
• to promote the UK's ecommerce strategy abroad
• to ensure that the benefits of ecommerce are spread throughout society
• to co-ordinate all the government actions recommended in the 'ecommerce@its.best.uk' report And since the The Register wants to follow the e-envoy's progress as he carries out his chores, we're setting up an e-envoy watch to keep tabs on the government's wired man. So, if you spot him -- if he visits your e-business or you hear one of his speeches -- let us know. Post your sightings here ® See also: E by gum e-Envoy