HC Deb 19 June 1992 vol 209 cc685-7W
Mr. Page

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress is being made towards implementing the proposals in the fourth report from the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) of Session 1989–90 on computer services for Members (HC 614).

Mr. Beith

The Services Committee report, which was generally welcomed in an Adjournment debate on 8 July last year, proposed the installation of a new broad-band cable system throughout the parliamentary estate capable of carrying television channels, the annunciator system, and data traffic, and recommended that appropriate studies be made to identify the specifications of such a system and the information technology services which might be provided for Members, their staff and staff of the House.

In the light of the debate, the House of Commons Commission gave immediate authority for the initial studies proposed by the Services Committee to be undertaken by consultants. In December 1991. the Commission authorised further expenditure, of up to £200,000 in financial year 1991–92, and up to £180,000 in financial year 1992–93, for further investigative and exploratory work towards the possible introduction of two parallel networks—one to carry television communications, and the second to carry data traffic—as recommended in the consultants' initial report. The Commission also invited the newly appointed Information Committee to liaise with the consultants, the relevant Officers of the two Houses, and the appropriate committee in the House of Lords, in the further development of plans for such a system.

The Commission is grateful to the former Information Committee, to the joint working party established by them, and to the Officers concerned, for the progress which has been made during the early part of this year.

At its meeting on 18 May, the Commission approved expenditure of about £720,500 in the current financial year to facilitate the installation of a pilot network project, as recommended by the Information Committee, in the new temporary accommodation to be provided in the autumn of this year at No. 7 Millbank. The Commission understands that this pilot scheme will assist the Information Committee—and the appropriate committee of the House of Lords—in reaching final conclusions about the nature of any network which they would wish to see installed in the parliamentary estate as a whole.

Any network for the House as a whole is likely to be expensive to install and thereafter to operate. For this reason, the Commission is concerned to ensure that no final decisions are taken until a clear picture of the likely commitments has emerged and the full costs have been carefully and expertly scrutinised. It therefore intends to invite the new Finance and Services Committee to assess and make recommendations to the Commission about the financial implications of any scheme which may be proposed by the Information Committee, in accordance with the consultative arrangements provided under Standing Orders Nos. 125 (Domestic Committees) and 125A (Finance and Services Committee).

Finally, in accordance with long-established practice, the Commission will not feel able to seek estimate provision for a major new service of this kind until the service itself has been specifically approved by the House. This stage cannot be reached until the Information Committee has had an opportunity to evaluate and report on the complex issues involved, and until the Finance and Services Committee has had an opportunity fully to evaluate the financial implications of any proposed scheme.