§ Norman LambTo 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]
668W
§ Ms HewittThe 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.