HC Deb 13 December 2001 vol 376 cc989-90W
Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Microsoft software to supply the NHS University will be an open system which will allow other suppliers to participate. [22608]

Mr. Hutton

The operating systems for the national health service University, including software, are yet to be decided upon and no purchase has been made from any particular supplier. One of the main considerations for any e-learning component of the NHS University will be its ability to reach the largest number of staff in the widest range of organisations. This will enable the NHS to utilise investments in hardware and software, from a number of suppliers, to the full.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the tender document for the national health service University will be put into the public domain. [22607]

Mr. Hutton

The national health service University is at an early stage of development. Established tendering procedures will be followed when the NHS University is in a position to let contracts to suppliers.

Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will validate and check the new software system for the NHS University. [22609]

Mr. Hutton

The national health service University is a new initiative and is still in its early stages of development. Decisions about software systems have not yet been taken.