§ LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can now announce their policy on the purchase of computer software for Government installations.
EARL JELLICOESoftware companies have an important part to play in promoting the effective use of computers in sales, both at home and overseas, including the European market. Government's computing requirements will continue to grow and its projects could provide the software industry with valuable experience of particularly large and complex systems. The Government plans to increase substantially above the present level of about £ 1.5 million per annum its purchases of consultancy, software and support services from the industry. This policy will be subject to regular review and there will be careful control to ensure value for money. The computer hardware procurement policy is not affected.
An effctive software capability will be maintained within the Civil Service for 1235WA tasks best done there and for assessing outside work.