Written question asked by Brian White (Labour) on Friday, 29 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what percentage of the Department's (a) implemented and (b) planned computer systems use open source software; and what plans are in place to raise this level.

Answer: Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the Department's (a) implemented and (b) planned computer systems use open source software; and what plans are in place to raise this level. [195665] Charlotte Atkins: At present, it is estimated that less than 1 per cent. of the Department's current or planned computer systems use open source software. The Department's procurement of software solutions follows the `level playing field' Government OSS policy, which does not require the raising of levels of OSS usage in Government, rather that Government considers OSS solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements and that contracts should be awarded on a value for money, case by case basis. The Government's OSS Policy can be viewed at www.govtalk.gov.uk.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 195665; 426 c1488W;426 c1492W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Software Department for Transport ICT Government departments Procurement
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk