§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts his Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if he will indicate for each contract(a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if he will make a statement on the number of job reductions in his Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3811]
§ Sir John WheelerThe Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland departments and agencies have had one contract with EDS since 1985, which began in 1995. I am unable to disclose the value of this contract as that is covered by commercial confidentiality. The contract is not yet complete, no modifications have been made at the request of EDS or the Department, no work has been 435W undertaken in-house and no job reductions have taken place. To include information in respect of associated bodies would incur disproportionate cost.