§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was at today's prices of the contract with Siemens Business Services to run the MOT computerisation programme; when this contract was awarded; how much has been spent to date; and how much will have been spent by the time the system is operational. [138144]
§ Mr. McNultyThe cost of the contract with Siemens Business Services (SBS) to run the computerised MOT service is £1.07 per test at today's prices. SBS have been paid nothing so far and will not receive any transaction payments until the first MOT stations are computerised.
The MOT Computerisation Contract was awarded in 2000. Expenditure to end of 2002–03 on managing and delivering VOSA's contracted products is £8.4 million and the forecast spend from April 2003 until roll-out in May 2004 is £9.6 million.
§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the MOT computerisation programme; and what assessment(a) has been conducted and (b) is planned of the (i) success and (ii) value for money of its implementation. [138145]
§ Mr. McNultySiemens Business Services (SBS) activity since the MOT Computerisation Contract was awarded has included design, development and testing of hardware and software needed to supply the service, and they are close to concluding their testing of the system functionality. VOSA is due to begin its trials of the new service in December 2003.
Treasury Task Force commissioned a full review of the project in January 2000 before the contract was awarded. The review concluded that the project had a high probability of success. A further review of progress by an Office of Government Commerce independent expert was conducted in July 2002. This review concluded that an amended contract, then being negotiated, should ensure the first MOT stations would be computerised by mid-February 2004.
A third independent review of progress now under way will report by 20 November 2003.
A readiness-for-service review, to be conducted at the end of VOSA trials, will confirm the viability of the business case and that the services and users are ready for go-live. This review will also cover value-for-money set out in the business case and approved by HM Treasury.
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§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable was for the introduction of the MOT computerisation programme when the contract with Siemens Business Services to run the system was awarded; and what it is now. [138146]
§ Mr. McNultyThe original contracted date for the first MOT stations to be computerised was May 2002. The earliest likely date for implementation is now mid-May 2004.