HC Deb 21 November 1977 vol 939 cc1087-8
31. Mr. Warren

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what major new uses of computer technology are being planned by his Department for the use of Her Majesty's Government.

The Minister of State, Civil Service Department (Mr. Charles R. Morris)

Plans are at present at various stages of development for the use of computers by the Inland Revenue for the assessment of PAYE, the collection of both PAYE and Schedule D taxes, and the assessment and collection of corporation taxes; by the Department of Health and Social Security in local offices to assist in the payment of short-term national insurance and supplementary benefits; by the Land Registry to extend its present computer system; and by the Employment Services Agency to extend its vacancy matching system. Several other Departments are planning to introduce a number of smaller systems for a wide variety of tasks making use where appropriate of recent developments in the technology.

Mr. Warren

While thanking the Minister for that remarkably full answer, may I ask him whether he has noticed that there seems to be a crusade against computers in many areas of the Civil Service? Will he try to get a move on with the introduction of computer services on a wider scale, and will he consult his colleagues in the Department of Industry to discover why that Department is so dilatory in promoting the development of computers which the Government could use?

Mr. Morris

I certainly do not accept that my ministerial colleagues in the Department of Industry are unmindful of the problems facing the computer industry in this country. I do not accept that the Civil Service or any individual civil servant is campaigning against the computer industry.

Dr. Bray

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that a major revolution is going on in computer technology and that it is perfectly possible to make the prime consideration the quality of service provided to the public? Will he, therefore, make sure that there is the greatest possible access to and speed of response in the social services and the Inland Revenue to any approach that the public have to make to Government Departments?

Mr. Morris

I shall certainly consider that point.

Mrs. Bain

Can the Minister explain the delay in developing computer technology whereby the Schedule D assessments have not yet come to Cumbernauld new town?

Mr. Morris

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.