§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 640, when, and for what reasons, the plans for an implementation date of 1999 for the ICL Pathway Project were changed; and if she will make a statement. [51496]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyIt was always expected that the original planning assumptions for this project would be tested and reviewed as the programme moved forward.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for the future of the Pathway initiative for the electronic payment of social security benefits through sub-post offices. [50924]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyMy officials, together with those from the Department of Social Security and HM Treasury, are monitoring the progress of this important PFI project, as is normal with projects of this kind. The Post Office and the Benefits Agency continue to work closely with ICL Pathway to bring the project to a successful conclusion.