§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of his Department's corporate head office technology systems computer; what was its original estimated cost at today's prices; when the computer system first began operation; when it will be fully installed; who manufactures the CHOTS system; how many people it serves; to what extent it is out of date; what communications he has had with his departmental staff concerning CHOTS and what were the results of these consultations; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the CHOTS; and if he will make a statement. [24616]
§ Mr. FreemanThe latest assessment of total cost at current prices, which includes installation and support of the system, MOD manpower costs and enabling works, amounts to £392 million over an agreed 10-year period.146W This compares with approved funding agreed in 1991 which uprated to current prices is £394 million.
Operation of CHOTS began in October 1992 and by the end of April 1995 there were 6,700 users. Implementation was originally planned to complete in 1996 but the present plan contains four sites that will be implemented after 1996 because of internal restructuring within the MOD and the armed forces.
Hardware and software from a variety of sources is procured and installed by the prime contractor, ICL. CHOTS has been upgraded four times since the original technical design in 1989 but was not able to support MS Windows applications. A recent review involving a wide range of existing and potential CHOTS users established a clear need to operate a range of modern commercial software on the CHOTS workstation. As a result it was agreed that a further development be undertaken to meet this requirement.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which computer system is used by his Department's Procurement Executive; if the Procurement Executive is fitted with the corporate headquarters office technology system; how many people at the Procurement Executive use CHOTS; and if he will make a statement. [24617]
§ Mr. FreemanAt present the Procurement Executive utilises a number of computer systems appropriate to its needs. This includes CHOTS for those staff employed in areas in which CHOTS has been introduced. A total of approximately 1560 PE staff currently have access to CHOTS.