§ Mr. DobbinTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to oversee the introduction of major Government IT projects into Government Departments. [112615]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Cabinet Office is leading a review of the Government's handling of IT projects to identify the pillars that support successful projects to make sure that these are in place from the start in the future.
The first recommendations from this review were announced to the House on 21 February 2000, Official Report, columns 739–40W. These include ways to improve Ministers' awareness of their role in major IT projects and the establishment of a new system to share knowledge about IT projects across Government, so that all Departments have the benefit of the best practice available. These recommendations demonstrate that the Government are committed to taking action to improve performance in the introduction of major IT projects. Further measures to address other aspects of the handling of IT projects will be put forward in due course.
Responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations will be shared between the Centre and Departments, although individual projects remain the responsibility of the Accounting Officer of the relevant Department.