HC Deb 18 June 1991 vol 193 cc129-31W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he is making with the existing central training section of the Export Credits Guarantee Department based at Ty Glas road, Llanishen, Cardiff to provide a service to the continuing ECGD after privatisation of the Insurance Services Group.

Mr. Sainsbury

The invitation to tender for the Insurance Services Group includes a draft training agreement which provides for the supply of services to the Export Credits Guarantee Department by the information technology training section based at Llanishen. The terms of the eventual contract will be subject to negotiation with the preferred purchaser, but the draft agreement provides for a call-off contract. Information concerning the terms of sale will be made public after privatisation, which is subject to the successful passage of the Export and Investment Guarantees Bill through Parliament.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the length of contract to be awarded by the continuing Export Credits Guarantee Department to the computer section of ECGD Insurance Services Group at Ty Glas road, Llanishen, Cardiff.

Mr. Sainsbury

The invitation to tender for the Insurance Services Group includes a number of different draft agreements for the continuing provision of information technology services to the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The terms of the eventual contracts will be subject to negotiation with the preferred purchaser, but the principal draft information technology agreements in the invitation to tender provide for a two-year contract. Information concerning the terms of the sale will be made public after privatisation, which is subject to the successful passage of the Export and Investment Guarantees Bill through Parliament.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation he has had with the computer programme development section of the Export Credits Guarantee Department located at Ty Glas road, Llanishen, Cardiff, concerning the development of information technology systems for the continuing ECGD after the sale of the Insurance Services Group; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

The invitation to tender for the Insurance Services Group includes draft development agreement which sets a framework for selecting, defining, and carrying out suitable information technology development work for the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The terms of the eventual contract will be subject to negotiation with the preferred purchaser, but the draft agreement provides for a two-year contract and thereafter individual projects continue until completed. Information concerning the terms of the sale will be made public after privatisation, which is subject to the successful passage of the Export and Investment Guarantees Bill through Parliament.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to announce the length of contract to be awarded for computer maintenance and servicing within the Export Credits Guarantee Department, London, to the Insurance Services Group computer support unit at Ty Glas road, Llanishen, Cardiff; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

Computer maintenance and servicing within the Export Credits Guarantee Department, London, are not provided by computer staff in the Insurance Services Group, Cardiff, and there are no plans to introduce such a service. A service for maintenance of certain computer programs is currently provided by Insurance Services Group staff and the invitation to tender for the Insurance Services Group includes a draft maintenance and minor enhancement agreement. The terms of the eventual contract will be subject to negotiation with the preferred purchaser, but the draft agreement provides for a two-year contract and until terminated thereafter. Information concerning the terms of sale will be made public after privatisation, which is subject to the successful passage of the Export and Investment Guarantees Bill through Parliament.