§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the management information system with regard to the control of the derelict land grant programme will be fully computerised;
(2) if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delays in computerising the management information system with regard to the control of the derelict land grant programme, and the costs to the Department associated with these delays;
(3) what is the estimated total cost to his Department of the computerisation of the management information system with regard to the control of the derelict land grant programme;
(4) what is the total cost to date to his Department of the computerisation of the management information system with regard to the control of the derelict land grant programme;
(5) what make and type of computers are being installed to ensure the computeristion of the management information system with regard to the control of the derelict land grant programme;
(6) if he will outline the reasons for the withdrawing in March 1988 of the pilot system for the computerisation of the management information system with regard to the control of the derelict land grant programme.
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§ Mr. TrippierIt is planned to complete implementation of a computerised system for derelict land grant by the end of 1989. In addition to providing comprehensive management information, the system will lead to increased efficiency in managing the derelict land grant programme, handling derelict land grant applications and processing grant claims.
When the pilot system was initiated in 1983, the evolution of an information technology strategy within the Department was at an early stage. Management techniques now in operation are designed to ensure that projects are properly programmed and resourced, and to trigger early corrective action when necessary. Progress with the pilot system was therefore slower than it should have been had these techniques been in use.
By 1987, the scope and design of the original user requirement for the pilot project had been overtaken by a comprehensive review of derelict land grant policy, the implementation of delegated authority under the financial management initiative, and recommendations from an internal audit examination of derelict land grant procedures. A feasibility study completed in March 1988 found that the system required considerable further development to cope with new requirements brought about by those changes, and concluded that it would be more cost.effective to redesign the system using modern software. The pilot system cost £130,000, but valuable experience was gained from design work and data analysis which is being applied to the new project.
The total cost of computerisation to date is £230,000, including the cost of the pilot project. The final total cost of developing and implementing the system is estimated to be £590,000. The project is expected to achieve quantifiable benefits of the order of £250,000 per annum, together with substantial unquantifiable benefits.
Existing VAX computers, manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation and located at the Department's bureaux sites in London and Swansea, will be utilised. The only new hardware to be purchased will be 30 DEC VT 320 computer terminals and 28 DEC LA75 desk top printers for use in the Department's regional offices and headquarters. The terminals will be linked to the bureaux via the existing departmental data communications network.