To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what consideration the House of Commons Commission has given to the installation of Windows 7 on computers on the House of Commons part of the Parliamentary estate; and for what reason Windows Vista is being installed on such computers. (315960)

The support service for Windows 2000 expires in June 2010. Windows 7 was launched by Microsoft on 23 October 2009 and is now being tested by PICT. If the tests prove successful and it can be financially justified Windows 7 will be used when new equipment is issued to Members. Given the timescales for the withdrawal of Windows 2000 support and the relatively recent availability of Windows 7 the move to Windows Vista for administrative staff was considered the best option given the circumstances.