§ Mr. Patrick ThompsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are his plans for the CCTA, the Government centre for information systems. [13228]
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§ Mr. FreemanThe CCTA, currently an operational division of the Office of Public Service will, from 1 April 1996, operate as a next steps executive agency within OPS, and will remain based in Norwich. This will ensure that Government Departments continue to have available to them a range of expert specialist services in information technology and telecommunications which are independent and are valued by Departments.
As an agency, CCTA will operate on a full cost recovery basis. It will therefore need to develop a stronger customer focus and undergo major restructuring and efficiency measures. It will work in close co-operation with the new central information technology unit which is being established in the OPS to provide a strategic approach to the use of information technology in government.