§ Brian WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in her Department. [69323]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisCurrently there is very little use of Open Source Software in the Department.
Our future use of Open Source Software will follow the Government policy which is expected to be published in summer 2002.
The draft policy document is available for viewing at http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc_document.asp? docnum=429.
§ Mr. BaconTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance her Department has issued to primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities and education authorities relating to the purchasing of652W computer software; and how much she estimates was spent by these bodies on computer software over the last five years. [70004]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Department does not currently provide direct guidance to schools, colleges, universities and education authorities about which software products to purchase. There are however a number of sources of advice, such as the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), to help institutions make purchasing decisions.
Guidance supporting the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund Grant for ICT encourages schools to spend at least 15 per cent of this grant on the procurement and development of educational and operational software.
The Department does not routinely collect data on total spend on software however the 2001 ICT in Schools Survey did report that in 1999–2000 schools in England spent an average of £800 per primary school and £5,230 per secondary on Software and Online Content.