Written question asked by Derek Wyatt (Labour) on Monday, 10 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 December 2001. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 13 December 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Microsoft software to supply the NHS University will be an open system which will allow other suppliers to participate.

Answer: Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Microsoft software to supply the NHS University will be an open system which will allow other suppliers to participate. [22608] Mr. Hutton: The operating systems for the national health service University, including software, are yet to be decided upon and no purchase has been made from any particular supplier. One of the main considerations for any e-learning component of the NHS University will be its ability to reach the largest number of staff in the widest range of organisations. This will enable the NHS to utilise investments in hardware and software, from a number of suppliers, to the full.

Secondary information