Written question asked by Lord Risby (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 July 2000. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Monday, 17 July 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will estimate the cost savings for (a) his Department as a whole and (b) embassies and high commissions, of the use of IT, including e-mail, in the past year. - Includes figures. (Holding answer 13 July 2000).

Answer: Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the cost savings for (a) his Department as a whole and (b) embassies and high commissions, of the use of IT, including e-mail, in the past year. [130123] Mr. Battle: [holding answer 13 July 2000]: In the past year the benefit to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office resulting from prior investment in IT is estimated at (a) £20 million for whole Department, of which (b) over £11 million was overseas. These figures include new cost savings last year of £0.5 million in the UK messenger service, resulting in part from the use of e-mail. They do not include savings which will accrue once our new Information and Communications Technology infrastructure is in place.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c22W; 130123
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Costs Diplomatic service ICT Email Foreign and Commonwealth Office Embassies
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk