HL Deb 09 July 1997 vol 581 cc78-9WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish full details of the information technology programmes currently being planned and implemented to update the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Immigration Service; what the programmes are expected to achieve; what stages of implementation are planned; and when they are expected to be fully implemented; and

What companies are responsible for project management and the supply of computer hardware and software in relation to the information technology programmes currently being planned and implemented to update the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Immigration Service; and what penalties are included in their contracts for failure to deliver to cost, on time and to quality; and

Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of all documentation relating to the computerisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, the document reception centre, the public enquiry office and the casework programme.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Casework Programme, to which the noble Earl's questions refer, is a service-provision contract awarded to Siemens Business Services (SBS) under the Private Finance Initiative. Under the terms of that contract SBS are to design, build, finance and operate a new computerised caseworking system for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Payments will be made to SBS on the basis of the efficiency improvements achieved by IND in consequence of the services provided under the contract. The detailed arrangements are commercially confidential.

I have arranged for a copy of a report describing the IND Casework Programme to be placed in the Library, and I shall make similar arrangements for copies of the contract with SBS, minus the commercially sensitive schedule detailing the charging arrangements.