HC Deb 23 May 2000 vol 350 c452W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 2000,Official Report, column 215W, on voicemail, for what reason he was not able to provide the installation cost; and on what basis the service cost of £92,000 was calculated. [122536]

Mr. Allan:

I am advised by the Head of Telecommunications that the voicemail facility currently used by Parliament is purchased as a service from the Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). Since it is a service, and since it is provided globally via Parliament's voice network, there are no site specific installation costs.

The sum of £92,000 can be broken down as follows: megastream rental £8,225 (this provides the connection between Parliament's voice network and the external CCTA managed voicemail system); mailbox rental £37,900 (annual cost—the last quarter has been estimated); applications development and manual £800; and training £45,330.

I am advised that training costs are expected to fall in the current financial year, since the first and major tranche of roll-out to new users is now completed. Mailbox rental costs are expected to increase as the majority of mailboxes will now incur full-year rental costs.