To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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.[130686]

The cost of Microsoft Licensing fees are inclusive of enterprise and select agreements and monies paid under software assurance but are exclusive of spend on customisation, often classified as professional services and software licences procured by IT service providers.