§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 15 January,Official Report, column 463, what direct costs to public funds there were as a result of the negotiations with Racal Data Network Ltd. from 15 February 1990 onwards; where in the public accounts those costs will be recorded; and whether he proposes to allocate additional resources to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency to continue to prepare a future Government telecommunications service.
§ Mr. Maples[holding answer 22 January 1991]: The costs to public funds of the Government telecommunications service—GTS—negotiations, and related telecommunications research, were some £2.4 million. These costs were borne by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency—CCTA—the five participating Departments, and the Treasury Solicitor's Department. Expenditure on the project prior to 31 March 1990 was accounted for in the appropriation accounts of CCTA—class XIX vote 13—Department of Employment—class VI vote 2—Department of Social Security—class XV vote 7—Inland Revenue—class XVIII vote 6—Her Majesty's Customs and Excise—class XVIII vote 5—Department of Finance and Personnel (Northern Ireland)—DFP vote 1—and Treasury Solicitor's Department—class X vote 9. Expenditure in the 1990–91 financial year will be accounted for in the following appropriation accounts: Her Majesty's Treasury—class XVIII vote 1—Department of Employment—class VI vote 2— 219W Department of Social Security—class XVI vote 7— Inland Revenue—class XVIII vote 6—Her Majesty's Customs and Excise—class XVIII vote 5—Department of Finance and Personnel (Northern Ireland)—DFP vote 1—Treasury Solicitor's Department—class X vote 9.
There are no plans to implement an alternative GTS. As I reported to the House on 15 January, the Departments concerned in the GTS negotiations will now be considering, with the CCTA, how best to meet future telecommunications requirements.