This paper reports on the emerging market in information on development-related activities in terms of the European capacity in databases and information networking. The first of its two parts addresses issues that are emerging consequent to the introduction of information technology in developing countries. Problems of definition and interest in the area of information for development are explored; information users are described; and types of information involved are defined. Major institutions in Great Britain concerned with library and information science, documentation, and computer science are identified, and similar institutions in West Germany, France, Scandinavia, Belgium, and Switzerland are briefly mentioned; a table lists the names and addresses of British institutions. The second part outlines recent progress of each of the 13 British member agencies of the Information and Documentation Working Group of the European Association of Development, Research, and Training Institutions in introducing information technologies in their organizations. Progress by other institutions is also noted. Information systems and databases are briefly reviewed, as are training courses in Britain that focus on information technology and development planning. (SD)