Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 19 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 July 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by the NHS in each of the past three years. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 24 June 2003).

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by the NHS in each of the past three years. [121508] Mr. Hutton :[holding answer 24 June 2003]: A central licensing agreement was negotiated with Microsoft for the majority of software products with effect from 4 October 2001. Figures for licensing fees prior to that date, or for software outside the agreement, are not available centrally. Payments for software licences covered by the central licensing agreement are as follows: 2000-01 (figures not available) 2001-02 £16.9 million from October 2001 2002-03 £62.3 million

Secondary information