Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated date on which the Opcon system is expected to be operational; what requirements it is expected to fulfil; and what is its total estimated cost.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Opcon system has been in successful operational use since 1986. It is an automated message handling system and database for use by Commander in Chief's maritime headquarters at Northwood. It is based on commercial ADP equipment, and the capital cost of the equipment was of the order of £40 million.