HC Deb 27 November 1996 vol 286 cc308-9W
Mr. Hoon

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many separate computer programmes his Department operates. [5355]

Mr. Willetts

There is no universal definition of what constitutes a computer programme. A formula or a simple line of executable code could be said to be a programme.

The Cabinet Office, Office of Public Services and its agencies are at present responsible for 12 major software systems. In addition, the Department uses proprietary operating and applications software products in support of office administration.

Mr. Hoon

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5346]

Mr. Willetts

The Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and its agencies use a number of proprietary software packages and for these information on the number of programmes or lines of source code is known only to the supplier.

The Department is carrying out an inventory of that bespoke software which is likely to still be in use in 2000 as part of our strategy for dealing with the year 2000 date change issue, but compilation of the inventory is not yet complete.