§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list showing for each Cray computer system in his Department (a) the year and month of ordering and (b) the year and month of acceptance.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe following information is based upon dates of final order letters, and formal written acceptances. Broader conventions underlay the information that I gave on 30 October at c.263–4 and account for the discrepancies.
Model a. Ordered b. Accepted Cray 1A October 1978 April 1979 Cray 1S November 1982 February 1983 Cray 1S January 1983 February 1984 Cray XMP March 1983 January 1984
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information can be given on the approximate purchase costs of each Cray computer system in his Department.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is a long-standing practice of the Ministry of Defence to treat details of individual contract prices as commercially confidential.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any information has been received by his Department from United States authorities on the operational specifications of Cray computers used for research and development purposes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish a list showing for each year since 1979 the number and types of DEC VAX computers (a) on order for use at his Department's research and development establishments and (b) operational at his Department's research and development establishments, specifying the relevant establishment in each case;
(2) if he will publish a list showing for each year since 1979 the numbers and types of IBM computers (a) on order for use at his Department's research and development establishments and (b) operational at his Department's research and development establishments, specifying the relevant establishment in each case.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMy Noble Friend, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement will write to the hon. Member shortly.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his reply of 17 November, Official Report, 439W column 62, to the hon. Member for Yeovil, if he will describe the composition and membership of the evaluation team for each Cray computer system in his Department; if he will describe the functions of such teams; if he will list the dates each such team was formed; and whether each such team has completed its functions.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThese teams were composed of representatives of the user establishment, the MOD IT project support directorate, and project and contract staff of the Central Computer Telecommunications Authority (CCTA) of HM Treasury. The functions of the teams were to identify user requirements, discuss them with potential suppliers, and then evaluate the tenders and place the contract. The teams were formed at AWRE in 1977 and 1983, RAE and RARDE in 1981. All the teams have completed their functions.