§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what computer systems his Department has brought in, for what function and at what cost for each of the last five years; and in each case whether the computer system is still in use.
§ Mr. GoodladDuring the last five years the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has brought in computer systems to enable FCO staff at home and overseas to carry out their work more effectively. Typical uses are for political, management, aid, commercial, consular, accounts and information work. A large number of these systems are still in use but will be replaced in the normal computer replacement cycle of five to seven years as they become obsolete.
The total cost for each of the last five years starting in financial year 1989–90 was—£'000—2,778, 7,078, 15,072, 19,063, and 17,526.