§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure open system standards allowing communication and common software between makes of computer.
§ Mr. NewtonThe United Kingdom Government have long promoted the benefits of adopting international open systems standards. The Department currently has a three-year £17 million programme of support for development of open systems standards and to assist development of conformance test facilities in this country. A certification regime to facilitate implementation of those standards is also being pursued.
On 11 May, I launched a further three-year, £12 million programme for open systems technology transfer. This will increase awarenes of the benefits of using products which conform to open systems standards and stimulate the introduction of new products. Demonstrator projects will show the benefits of such products in real applications.