§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the figures included in Mr. Spellar's Answer on 29 July 1997 (HC Deb., cols. 185W–186W) on the subject of departmental expenditure on major and medium scale computer-related systems included possible costs incurred in the course of co-operation between the United Kingdom, the United States and other allies on the protection of "vulnerable infrastructures", as adumbrated in United States Presidential Decision Directive 63 of June 1998. [HL3023]
§ Lord GilbertThe figures to which the noble Lord refers do not include costs incurred in the course of co-operation between the United Kingdom, the United States and other allies on the protection of "vulnerable infrastructures". They do, however, include costs incurred by all computer-related projects in addressing their security requirements to counter vulnerabilities and threats, in accordance with MoD policies.
MoD officials are, in the course of their normal activities, co-operating with the US and other allies on the protection of "vulnerable infrastructures". This work is being led by the Cabinet Office.