§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by his Department and its agencies in each of the last three years; and how much has been budgeted for(a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05. [130683]
§ Mr. BrowneThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was formed in June 2001.
Payments made to Microsoft by DWP in 2001–02 were £1,075 and 2002–03 were £282.
Payments made direct to Microsoft are very low because the majority of purchases are made by the Department's main IT Service Provider on the DWP's behalf and are therefore not recorded as a Departmental purchase from Microsoft.
Details of how much has been budgeted for in 2003–04 and 2004–05 cannot be provided since the Department do not budget for software licences by specific suppliers.