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Ministry of Defence

Answer

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the full risk assessment setting out control measures proposed by the Government for the possible privatisation of IT infrastructure; [183082] (2) how many employees fall within the scope of the Defence Information Infrastructure project, broken down by (a) civil servants and (b) staff provided by contractor support. [183083] Mr. Ingram :[holding answer 14 July 2004]: The Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) programme Integrated Project Team (IPT) is currently in negotiation with two potential commercial Delivery Partners (DP) for the provision of Information Systems services for Ministry of Defence. The DII programme is not a privatisation of IT infrastructure. Under the terms of the proposed Public Private Partnership arrangement, MOD will continue to own the infrastructure but the delivery of support services will be the responsibility of the commercial Delivery Partner. Risk management is a key feature of the business of any IPT and its associated Senior Responsible Owner (SRO). DII programme risks are managed on an on- going basis through a risk register; each risk has its own mitigation plan. The IPT also manages a joint risk register with each of the two bidders for the DII contract; each is therefore specific to the particular bidder's proposed solution. These registers are, by their nature, commercially sensitive, and cannot therefore be placed in the Library of the House without the on-going competition being prejudiced. As part of the concept phase of the Smart Procurement process, the Initial Gate Business Case (IGBC) for the DII programme outlined the headline risks identified at that stage of the programme. The IGBC was approved in September 2002; the risks identified at that stage will be placed in the Library of the House. A copy of the DII Business Prospectus has already been placed in the Library. The Business Prospectus details why DII is necessary for MOD and how it will be procured. The Main Gate Business Case, which is due to be presented to the Investment Approvals Board later this year will provide a current assessment of DII risks and their mitigation plans associated with the procurement. This Business Case will contain commercially sensitive information from the two bidders for the DII contract and therefore cannot be made publicly available. Over the planned three main increments of the DII programme, it is estimated that up to 1,500 civilian staff fall within the full scope of the project, including both staff supporting current systems and those presently within the IPT. It has been necessary in some cases to supplement the skills of the civilian and military staff employed in the IPT by more specific expertise from the commercial sector. There are currently 13 contractors occupying established civil service posts within the IPT.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

424 c708W; 183082;183083

Session

2003-04

Subjects

ICT Procurement Staff Ministry of Defence Risk assessment

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk