The Assembly government’s web-site is a pure disgrace. And the abolition of the subject committees, with ministers questioned every month, means we have less idea than ever of what was going on, meaning the government can get away with murder.
In the last Cambria, I reported a civil servant attached to the Assembly who complained about the website’s state, wondered whether it had been produced in that format on purpose to keep information hidden; and then concluded that the quickest way to find facts was to Google – thereby producing unnecessary income for an American commercial company.
At the time I wrote those words, I was engaged on a long search for the Assembly’s original railway policy, dating from 1999 – listing the standard of services that should be provided in Wales.
On the original website, it could easily be found on the left of the transport page.
But now no more, after a “modernisation” of the site.
I tried the press office, to no success. “All the civil servants from that time will have moved on by now,” I was told, after the lady had failed to find anything on line.
So I tried the Assembly Members’ library in Crickhowell House. The librarian never gave up – but after 15 minutes we weren’t getting anywhere.
And now another problem pops up over availability of information. A new primary schools’ curriculum is being prepared. Where can a copy be found ? On the AG website ? Of course, not. Again, it is Google which produces the goods.
Has AG done a secret commercial deal with Google ? Or are they following No 10 guidance – in which case, you would fully expect that Mr Blur sold out to a Yankee capitalist.
The AG site is a tremendous let-down for Wales. It is in vivid contrast to the Senedd site, which was revamped at around the same time.
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