What does your role as e-minister involve? One is to pull together all the different actions relating to the development of electronic services and co-ordinate our investments. If we're about to procure services from telecoms companies or procure more basic telecoms infrastructure, we have to do so in a joined-up way. One of the main things is to be an evangelist for electronic government and electronic service delivery, to try to encourage people to embrace the technology because, if we fail to do so, the public sector and the economy as a whole will fall behind.

Is Scotland embracing the internet and new technologies? We are as far advanced, if not further, than other parts of the world in terms of thinking about how we get people connected. However, we're not as far ahead as some of the Scandinavian countries or North America in terms of internet connections. One difficulty has been how to ensure all the small and medium-size enterprises enjoy the benefits of electronic business. The signs are that we're making real progress.

How important is the idea of online government? The executive is committed to delivering the majority of our services electronically by 2005. Doing this in conjunction with the local authorities, we believe you can co-ordinate these actions closely. The executive is embracing the internet, websites etc and widening it out to transactions with the public. The parliament is, in some ways, more advanced than most. Every MSP - Member of the Scottish Parliament -has a laptop computer and the vast majority use them. Email is a regular form of communication and the new building will be at the cutting edge of recent technologies. Parliament has developed an effective website and is webcasting the day's business. Certain social services will have to be delivered by traditional methods but we will soon see the vast majority of transactions - council tax, benefits, planning permission etc - done electronically. This will be more satisfactory as people can conduct their transactions when it suits them. Another challenge is to ensure there are no social or geographical barriers to accessing the technology so all can benefit from change.

Do viruses etc make the internet vulnerable? For everybody that invents a virus there's someone inventing cures. As for security, that's a key. People send confidential things in the post so I am sure we'll get the same level of confidence in electronic services soon.

Where would you like to see the net going? I think we're going to see more time spent organising services and systems to suit people's circumstances. We'll also see a huge development of learning on the net. A challenge is to ensure that broadband will be available whether you're in Shetland, Angus or the Borders and that is a priority.

Are you a fan of gadgets? Gadgets are only a means to access something. It's what lies behind that's really important.

Visit: www.scottish.parliament.uk