Written question asked by Brian White (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 October 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Monday, 21 October 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. - Includes ref to www.e.envoy.gov.uk and www.ogc.gov.uk and fact that record of open source software in use across the Department is not held centrally and disproportionate cost.

Answer: Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. [69327] Dr. Lewis Moonie MP: Software applications used in the Ministry of Defence are selected on their ability to meet business needs, taking full account of value for money, long-term viability, security and interoperability. The MOD currently has no explicit policy on the use of open source software, but does follow the Government Open Source Software policy published and announced in Parliament on 22 July 2002. This policy is available on the e-Envoy website (www.e-envoy.gov.uk) or the Office of Government Commerce website (www.ogc.gov.uk). A record of open source software in use across the Department is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information