§ Lord Marlesfordasked the Chairman of Committees: What has been the total cost to date of the Parliamentary Data and Video Network (PDVN), showing separately the capital and annual running cost; and what is the planned cost over each of the next three years. [HL377]
§ The Chairman of CommitteesThe cost of the PDVN to the Houses jointly is as follows:
19WA
§ Lord Marlesfordasked the Chairman of Committees:
How many individuals are now linked to the Parliamentary and Data Video Network (PDVN), showing separately the number of members of both Houses. [HL378]
§ The Chairman of CommitteesThe number of accounts active on PDVN at December 21 1998 was as follows:
House of Commons: Members 188 Members staff 1,176 House staff 1,235 Total 2,599 House of Lords Peers 148 Peers staff 41 House staff 184 Total 373 Externals e.g. IPU 31 Total 3,003
§ Lord Marlesfordasked the Chairman of Committees:
When the Parliamentary and Data Video Network (PDVN) first went on-line; why it was not designed to be Year 2000 compliant from the start; what is the estimated cost of making it compliant now; how long the necessary modifications will take; and what steps will be taken to ensure a continuity of service for those of its clients who need access to e-mail during the modification period. [HL379]
§ The Chairman of CommitteesThe PDVN started as a small pilot system in 1993 to evaluate solutions to Parliament's communications needs. The scope of the pilot was limited and no central organisation existed to plan or manage its development. The Parliamentary Communications Directorate (PCD) did not exist at that time. The success of the pilot stimulated rapid expansion. None of the hardware or software that was available then was year 2000 compliant and a compliant network could not, therefore, have been built. As the pilot grew into an operational system, it was recognised that the existing network needed to be rationalised and at the same time made year 2000 compliant. Any recent purchase of hardware and software has been specified to be year 2000 compliant. This rationalisation has already involved, and will still involve, significant replacement of the hardware and software that make up the PDVN or are connected to it.
It is not possible to guarantee an uninterrupted service during all these changes; however, PCD and 20WA departments are working to ensure that any disruption is minimised. The major disruption to the system will take place over a series of weekends between now and the middle of February 1999. Most use of PCD services at the weekends is via the remote access service, which is generally unaffected by these disruptions. There are no plans to change the remote access service during this period and usage of the e-mail and browser services provided will usually be unaffected.
In common with any service provider, PCD must interrupt service on a periodic basis to ensure that systems are running as efficiently as possible. Unlike commercial providers, PCD believe that they should, where possible, give their users notice of possible interruptions in service. PCD estimates of downtime include any contingency that is appropriate.
There is no way of defining the absolute cost of the year 2000 effort. Equipment is being replaced as part of a programme to upgrade and converge the disparate parliamentary systems. As this equipment is being replaced, year 2000 compliance is part of the specification. This does not increase the cost of the PDVN.