During negotiations over a massive software licensing contract with the National Health Service (NHS), Microsoft "offered the NHS the opportunity to be addressed by (Bill) Gates," according to Computer Weekly, citing no sources.

The bargaining counter appears to have done the trick: in October, Microsoft won the day, (although the estimated savings of £50m over three years in reduced licence fees may also have had something to do with the win).

And on December 6, the Microsoft chairman is to to "tell a select group of NHS chief executives how the software giant can help the NHS modernise its IT at an exclusive conference on 6 December arranged by the Department of Health".

And the subject of his speech? "How Microsoft will be working with the NHS to improve NHS IT."

You can read the full account at CW360.com, Computer Weekly's web site. ®