To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps his Department is taking to increase the effectiveness of the use of information communications technology in (a) the Cabinet Office, (b) 10 Downing Street and (c) the civil service. (271089)

The Department is improving the effectiveness of its use of information communications technology (ICT) by leading and participating in the Public Sector Flex framework. Public Sector Flex is an ICT shared service for the public sector offering a core desktop computing environment and a comprehensive range of additional ICT services. It will provide economies of scale and significant cost reductions, but with clear service quality standards.

The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of Cabinet Office and therefore follows its guidelines and policies in the use of ICT.

The Government's strategy for increasing the effectiveness of its use of technology more widely in the civil service is set out in “Transformational Government—Enabled by Technology” (Cm. 6683). The latest Annual Report is available at:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/cio/transformational _government/annual_report2007.aspx

and is available in the Libraries of the House.