§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to conclude a new schools agreement with Microsoft. [112432]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeMicrosoft and the Department have been working together since last summer to reach an agreement on a way of reducing the cost of licences to schools. This has included work via our agency BECTA on clarifying current arrangements so that schools can make appropriate decisions on the best value for them. I had a meeting with Microsoft officials on 9 April and I am currently awaiting Microsofts response to the issues raised.
§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what effect the announcement of an Office of Fair Trading inquiry into the existing Microsoft Schools Agreement will have on negotiations about a new schools agreement between his Department and Microsoft. [112434]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Department will cooperate fully with the OFT, and will monitor closely the progress of the inquiry. In the meantime we will continue to work with Microsoft to reach an agreement on a way of reducing the cost of licences to schools.