Written question asked by Brian White (Labour) on Friday, 29 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 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 Work and Pensions 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. [195662] Jane Kennedy: The Department for Work and Pensions does not currently use open source software in any of its current computer systems. However, we have taken part in the recent Office of Government Commerce `Proof of Concept' trials of open source software. As a result we are working on an IT strategy and enterprise IT architecture which will take into account the reducing risk in the marketplace and allow us to take advantage of open source software in the future. Our procurement of software solutions follows 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 policy can be viewed at www.govtalk.gov.uk.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 426 c1190W;426 c1194W; 195662
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Software Department for Work and Pensions ICT Government departments Procurement
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk