Written question asked by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 November 1996. It was answered by Michael Jack (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 November 1996 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Answer: Mr. Hoon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many separate computer programmes his Department operates. [5510] Mr. Jack: There is no universal definition of what constitutes a computer program. A formula or a simple line of executable code could be said to be a program; however my Department is at present responsible for the following list of major software systems: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source Category Number of full programs Number of modules/ components Proprietary Systems software 25 -- General central server software 24 -- Office systems 24 -- PARLY.CLERK /packages 32 -- Total 105 -- Bespoke (external) Total 16 325 In-house Total 11 1,166 Total Total 132 1,491 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The software has been categorised by its source. Proprietary software covers operating systems--such as Windows 95--general software operated of central servers --such as Novell netware, databases--office systems--such as WordPerfect, Excel--and PC packages used by individuals. Bespoke software covers programs produced for the Treasury by external supplies--such as software houses. In-house software includes items produced and/or maintained by Treasury staff. For bespoke and in-house software we have shown two counts of (a) the applications and (b) the program modules making up those applications.

Secondary information