§ Barbara FollettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will quantify value for money gains achieved by Government as a result of applying electronic techniques to their procurement activities. [6536]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThere has been £100 million in value for money gains over the last three years as a result of applying modern electronic techniques to central civil Government procurement. Our objective was to purchase 90 per cent. of low-value goods and services electronically by March 2001. Recent measurements by the Office of Government Commerce indicate that at present approximately half of low-value transactions are conducted electronically. Work is continuing to realise additional benefits through means such as increased use of the Government procurement card and the replacement of antiquated IT systems with more modern ones.