The success of the Lisbon Strategy and the competitiveness of European industry are dependent on the availability and the effective use of information and communication technology. E-skills shortages, gaps and persistent under-investment in these skills risk a continuing digital divide which could negatively affect productivity growth, competitiveness and employment in Europe.

As the provision of education services is VAT exempt, and as obtaining the skill and ability to maximise the benefit of a computer is an intrinsically educative process, would the European Commission consider that the provision and use of a computer could be VAT exempt when accompanied by the requisite training?