§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what actions are taken by the CCTA to ensure that computer systems introduced by Government Departments and agencies meet requirements in terms of value for money and efficiency. [31281]
§ Mr. KilfoyleResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) under its Chief Executive Bob Assirati. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Bob Assirati to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 26 February 1998
I am replying on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Dr. David Clark, to your Parliamentary Question enquiring on what actions are taken by CCTA to ensure that computer systems introduced by Government departments and agencies meet requirements of value for money and efficiency.The responsibility for ensuring that computer systems introduced by Government Departments and Agencies meet requirements in terms of value for money and efficiency lies with the individual departments and agencies. CCTA acts in an advisory and support capacity on a full cost recovery basis to those departments which seek its advice. They are free to seek support from any source they wish but virtually all make use of CCTA services. Major areas of advice include procurement and contract management, project management, post-implementation reviews, and the use of new technologies including the Internet.CCTA also manages arrangements which enable departments to make savings when procuring IT equipment and services. These include the Government Telecommunications Services (GTS), the Government Catalogue (GCat) for IT products, and the Services Catalogue (SCAT) for IT services.