§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of information technology, computing systems and equipment in his Departments and its agencies in each of the last three years, distinguishing between(a) capital and equipment, (b) in-house provision services and (c) contracted services and consultancy.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe information is in the table. The figures are on a commercial—accruals—basis.
1993–94 £ 1992–93 £ 1991–92 £ Cost of Capital and equipment (depreciation) 64,640 58,525 58,237 In-house provision1 290,330 276,109 267,021 Consultants/Contractors2 95,352 110,533 97,158 Total Costs 450,322 445,167 422,416 1 The 'In-house provision' figure is the balance of Information Technology Services Agency costs once depreciation and consultant/contractor costs are removed.1 2 "Contracted services and consultancy" have been taken to mean consultants/contractors. Source:
The ITSA Annual Report and Accounts. ITSA, an executive agency of the Department of Social Security, supplies IT services to the DSS and its agencies and to other Government Departments and agencies including the Employment Service, the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency, the National Health Service Pensions Agency and the Department of Health. These costs are included in the above figures.