§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which suppliers have been invited to make proposals for the automated benefit payment system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 November, the automation of post offices and benefit payment will make a major contribution to our top priority fight against fraud. It will also act as a springboard for Post Office Counters Ltd. to gain new business. Nine companies, some of whom lead consortia, submitted formal procedures to act as prime contractors in the development of payment cards to replace girocheques and order books. The following five have been selected, by Post Office Counters Ltd. and my Department, to develop their solutions further: BT; Cardlink UK; EDS; IBM; ICL.