§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what new interactive, interrogative and batch facilities will accrue to his Department from the connection to the Government data network; and what is the estimated saving to his Department from joining the network.
§ Mr. LyellThere are no new plans for interactive, interrogative or batch facilities which depend directly on connection to the Government data network. However, as I explained to the hon. Member on 26 January, at columns90–91 we will wish to use the facility to transfer the information which is currently exchanged on magnetic tape between ourselves and the Inland Revenue.
Comparative costs and savings cannot be estimated until planning has reached the award of contract stage.