To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of his Department’s computer systems use open source software; what percentage of the systems planned to be installed use such software; and whether he plans to increase the use of open source software in his Department. (111159)

Use of open source software is growing in the Department but accounts for less than 1 per cent. of the Department’s systems.

New open source systems are being planned for implementation in the Department and this will increase the percentage but only to 1 or 2 per cent.

The Department will continue to consider open source solutions on an overall value for money basis in accordance with the Government’s (2004) policy statement.