To ask the Chairman of Committees when the performance of PICT was last independently assessed; and what was the outcome. [HL3093]

PICT was assessed by a “health check” conducted in June 2008 by an independent ICT consultant commissioned by the bicameral joint Business Systems Board. The health check found that PICT had developed into a professional ICT organisation delivering effective ICT services at a reasonable cost. It went on to recommend improvements that could be made in the way in which ICT projects and programmes were organised and financed. A review of the actions taken in response to the health check was undertaken in June 2009 and the consultants found that good progress had been made. Both reports were presented to the Management Board and the Information Committee in the House of Lords.