Written question asked by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Thursday, 4 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 February 1999. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 February 1999 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the Linux computer operating system and its potential for reducing the costs of school computer systems. - (Holding answer 11 February 1999).

Answer: Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the Linux computer operating system and its potential for reducing the costs of school computer systems. [70178] Mr. Charles Clarke: [holding answer 11 February 1999]: The Government are aware of this system which, with other relevant products available for educational use, is being kept under review by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency. Their recent publication, "Connecting Schools, Networking People", offered guidance to schools on good practice in the purchasing and deployment of advanced technologies. It will be updated in future to ensure that it remains relevant to schools.

Secondary information