HC Deb 30 March 1971 vol 814 cc1343-4
19. Mr. Nicholas Edwards

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the last of the nine Pay As You Earn computer centres is not expected to come into action until 1979 when the decision to computerise Pay As You Earn was made in 1963.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Because this was thought at the time to be a realistic timetable having regard to the size and complexity of the automation programme. Work on the programme has now largely been suspended for the reasons which I gave to the House on 7th December last.

Mr. Edwards

I welcome the present suspension, but would it not be sensible to press on with the simplification and reform of personal taxation before proceeding with these costly and apparently not very efficient computer systems?

Mr. Jenkin

I dispute my hon. Friends' suggestion that the system was not efficient. It was computerising the existing tax system, and it is because we are interested in simplification that we have suspended the programme.

Mr. Douglas

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress being made at Centre One at East Kilbride?

Mr. Jenkin

As many hon. Members know, I have given very considerable attention to the difficulties which have over the past months been experienced at East Kilbride. Without giving too great a hostage to fortune, I have gained the impression, as have a number of hon. Members, that the great efforts made by the staff there are now bringing improvements.