§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer on 12 June,Official Report, column 395, regarding contracts with EDS in respect of Government data, what arrangements exist to ensure the smooth, continuous running of the relevant systems in the event of a change of contractor, the appointment of a subcontractor or an unforeseen event or policy decision taken by the contractor; and what back-up arrangements are in place to ensure the continuous running of these systems. [29766]
§ Sir George YoungEDS has outsourcing contracts with the Inland Revenue, the Department of Social Security and the Department of Transport.
There are provisions within the EDS contracts with those Government Departments, which cover the handover of work and resources at the end of the contract and which will ensure continuity of service. The provisions for handover apply equally to a transfer to another supplier or direct to the Department and they can be invoked even if the contract is terminated prematurely.