§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what computer systems his Department have brought in, for what function and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case whether the computer system is still in use.
§ Mr. EggarThe Department has made increasing use of computer systems, enhanced existing systems, and introduced many new systems over the last five years to assist most aspects of my Department's work. This includes: financial and management information systems; database systems recording incidents of insolvency, patents, designs, trademarks, DTI sponsorship of United Kingdom companies, export licences, home accidents; econometric and statistical systems recording information on production sector companies, overseas trade, the insurance industry, energy sources and resources; modelling systems for pay forecasting and energy demands; and office automation and communications systems.
Micro-computer systems have a life expectancy of three years or more, and larger systems five years or more. Very few of the computer systems introduced over the last five years are no longer in use. Central capital expenditure on new and enhanced computer systems for the last five years is as follows:
361W
Year £k 1989–90 7,744 1990–91 8,496 1991–92 6,693 1992–93 9,308 1993–94 11,858 These figures exclude expenditure on behalf of agencies, except the Insolvency Service in 1992–93 and 1993–94.