Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 12 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much was paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by her Department and its agencies in each of the last three years; and how much has been budgeted for (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05. - No figures and not possible to identify specific costs.

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by her Department and its agencies in each of the last three years; and how much has been budgeted for (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05. [130680] Ms Hewitt: The provision of IT services for the Department of Trade and Industry is via a long term PFI contract with UNITAS, (a consortium of Fujitsu Services and Logica/CMG). Under this agreement all IT assets, hardware, software, (including Microsoft licensing fees), etc. are owned by UNITAS. Their provision and associated support are met through agreed bundled monthly service charges and it is not possible to identify specific costs for individual elements of these charges. The contract with UNITAS requires them to ensure that all software included as part of the services they provide to the Department are fully licensed with the appropriate supplier.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 130680; 412 c668-9W;412 c667-8W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Software Department of Trade and Industry Finance Fees and charges Licensing Expenditure Government departments Microsoft
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk